Holistic approaches are part of many recovery programs.
They can help you heal and grow through all stages of recovery.
- Creative Arts Therapy: Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Poetry
These therapies help you express feelings that can be hard to put into words. You can choose a form that speaks to you, like dancing or moving to music, drawing, making music, or even reading a poem out loud.
General resources
Creative Guide through the 12 Steps
This blog page suggests creative arts projects for groups and individuals that address the meaning of the steps and gives instructions on how to use them to complement the 12-step program.
National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations
Founded in 1979, this organization gives basic information on each of the 6 major creative arts therapies and their approach to helping you grow, communicate, express yourself and make positive changes.
Art Therapy
American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
Learn how art therapy works and its benefits. Click on Find-A-therapist for a directory by state and top cities in the US.
Mindfulness-Based Art Therapy (MBAT)
This approach adds the practice of mindful awareness to the experience of doing art therapy. Some of the issues that have shown promise in research on MBAT include anxiety, substance use disorder (relapse prevention), depression, stress and anger.
Dance Therapy
American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
Provides information on the field of dance therapy including how it works, training and credentials. Click on Find a DMT (Dance/Movement Therapist) and you can choose Drug/Alcohol Abuse from the list and type in your city and zip code.
Drama Therapy
North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA)
Describes the process of drama therapy and the qualifications of therapists. Click on Find a Drama Therapist to find therapists in the U.S. and Canada.
Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
Explains the practice and uses of music therapy. Click on Find a Music Therapist in the left menu bar for an online directory by different health conditions including Substance Abuse. You can type in your city and state.
The Real Recreation Therapist
A good description of the benefits of drumming and the role it can play in growth and healing. It can be used as a therapy for substance use disorder, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, anger issues and much more.
Poetry Therapy
National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT)
Gives links to poetry sites, training and education information. Click on NAPT members to find their websites.
Research StudiesResearch Studies
Music therapy is motivating and can increase your readiness for treatment and reduce cravings. It may be a valuable part of treatment for substance misuse.
Megranahan K, Lynskey MT. Do creative arts therapies reduce substance misuse? A systematic review. Volume 57, 50-58, 2018.
Drumming feels good, releases emotions, and speaks to your deeper self. Group drumming powerfully connects you with others and helps you feel less alone. It can also be a spiritual experience and a way to connect with a higher power. Drumming circles work well as part of addiction treatment, especially for those who struggle with relapse and who have not responded to counseling.
Winkelman M. Complementary therapy for addiction: "drumming out drugs". Am J Public Health. 2003;93(4):647-651.
The arts support recovery in many ways. Art therapy gives you a way to communicate and lessen shame. Music therapy can lift your mood, bring a sense of comfort, and help you feel ready to take part in treatment. Moving to music helps you feel less anxious, sad, angry and stressed.
Aletraris L, Paino M, Edmond MB, Roman PM, Bride BE. The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. J Addict Nurs. 2014;25(4):190-196.
This paper explores the research on the use of poetry therapy, especially with trauma survivors and those in recovery from substance use disorders. One study reports the benefit of poetry therapy for women in early-stage alcohol dependence. Another describes how it helps prevent relapse in women who have been treated for alcohol dependence.
Wanda Springer. Poetry in therapy: A way to heal for trauma survivors and clients in recovery from addiction. Journal of Poetry Therapy, 19, 2, (69-81), (2006).
- Acupuncture
- Animal/Pet Therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Biofeedback
- Coloring Therapy
- Gardening
- Guided Imagery
- Herbal Therapy
- Homeopathy
- Hypnosis
- Journaling
- Massage Therapy and Bodywork
- Meditation/Mindfulness
- Nature
- Nutrition
- QiGONG
- Yoga