Healing from addiction takes more than just talking. While traditional therapy is essential, some feelings and experiences are too deep or complex for words. Creative methods, like art and music therapy, offer powerful ways to express what you’re feeling inside. You don’t need to be an artist or a musician to benefit—you only need to be open to change and have a willingness to explore.
What are art and music therapies?
Art and music therapies are evidence-based treatments where a trained therapist uses the creative process to help you explore emotions, reduce stress, and improve self-awareness. You might not create a perfect painting or a hit song, but you’ll use creativity as a tool for healing the underlying issues connected to your addiction.
Art therapy
Use materials like paint, clay, or pencils to communicate feelings and experiences visually, turning abstract emotions into something tangible.
Music therapy
Listen to songs, analyze lyrics, or play instruments to manage your mood, process emotions, and connect with yourself and others.
How effective are creative therapies for addiction?
When art or music therapies are used in treatment, they do more than just give people a break from talk therapy. They can actually make it easier to engage with the treatment process. Art projects may help resistant or ambivalent people open up about their addiction indirectly, helping them find the spark they need to stop using drugs or drinking. Addiction is an incredibly isolating experience, and there’s a lot of shame in continuing to use and stigma around reaching out for help. Anything that can help someone feel more comfortable opening up can be especially beneficial.
Music therapy has even more studied benefits. In addition to breaking down resistance to change, it can reduce cravings and increase motivation.
More benefits of art and music therapy
Reduces stress and anxiety
Improves mood
Helps process trauma
Reduces relapse risk
What methods are used in art and music therapy?
Next Step Recovery therapists tailor your therapy sessions to your unique needs and comfort level, focusing on the experience, not the final product. No prior skill or experience is ever required.
Examples of art therapy projects
Painting or drawing emotions
A therapist might prompt you with, “What does your anger look like?” or “Paint what hope feels like to you.”
Creating sculptures
Using clay to build a physical representation of your support system or your inner strength.
Collage or vision board
Cutting out images and words that resonate with you to create a visual map of your goals for a sober future.
Incident drawing
Visually recreating a specific event or memory to process it from a new, safer perspective.
Examples of music therapy activities
Lyric analysis
Listening to a song and discussing as a group how the lyrics relate to your own life experiences, feelings, and recovery journey.
Songwriting
Working with a therapist to write original lyrics and melodies that express your personal story of struggle and hope.
Improvisational music
Using simple instruments like drums or keyboards to express feelings in the moment, without the need for words.
Music-assisted relaxation
Using carefully selected calming music to guide meditation and mindfulness exercises, helping to ground you in the present moment.
Who runs art and music therapy sessions?
These are clinical sessions led by credentialed professionals who are experts in using creativity as a therapeutic tool.
Art therapist
A master’s-level clinician trained in both psychology and art. They guide clients through the creative process to help them understand their own creations and achieve therapeutic goals.
Music therapist (MT-BC)
A board-certified professional who has completed an accredited music therapy program. They are trained to use specific music-based interventions to address physical, emotional, and cognitive needs in a clinical setting.
Creative therapies build skills for life after treatment
The benefits of creative therapies extend far beyond treatment. Each session is a chance for you to work on practical skills for a sustainable, long-term recovery.
Emotional regulation
Learn to manage difficult feelings in a constructive way, rather than turning to substances.
Healthy self-expression
Find a safe and rewarding outlet for your thoughts and emotions.
Mindfulness and focus
The creative process encourages you to be present, which reduces anxiety about the past or worry about the future.
Improved self-esteem
Finishing a song or a piece of art, no matter how simple, builds a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
Problem-solving
The act of creating involves making choices and overcoming small challenges, which strengthens your cognitive skills.
Art and music therapy complement other therapies
Creative therapies can be a great addition to a holistic, integrated treatment plan. They work in harmony with other methods to support your complete healing.
Talk therapy (CBT/DBT)
An image you create or a song you connect with can uncover feelings that can then be explored more deeply in your group or individual counseling sessions.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
While medication helps stabilize your body and mind, creative therapies address the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing. When your symptoms and cravings are better controlled, you can go deeper in creative sessions.
Trauma therapy
Art and music provide unique pathways to access and process non-verbal traumatic memories, making the work in therapies like EMDR even more effective.
Who’s a good fit for art or music therapy?
While almost anyone can benefit from creative expression, these therapies are especially helpful for certain people. You might be a great fit if you:
- Find it difficult to talk about your feelings or past experiences.
- Have experienced trauma and struggle to express it verbally.
- Feel “stuck” in traditional talk therapy and are looking for a new approach.
- Want to discover new, healthy coping skills and potential hobbies for your life in recovery.
- Already strongly connect with music and creative expression.
Frequently asked questions
When do art and music therapy start during treatment?
These therapies are often introduced early in the treatment process, once you are medically stable after detox. They provide an immediate and accessible way to manage stress and begin engaging in the therapeutic process. You might find it easier to open up in individual talk therapy sessions after you have space in art or music sessions to process without words.
How often are sessions held?
Typically, art or music therapy sessions are held once or twice a week as a core part of our comprehensive programming schedule. Your individualized therapy plan may have you join every other week or more frequently.
How long do sessions last?
Sessions usually last between 60 and 90 minutes. You’ll have plenty of time to settle in, engage with the creative process, and discuss the experience with your therapist and/or group.
What types of projects are done during sessions?
Projects are always tailored to you and any other group members. They can range from drawing with pastels and writing song lyrics to group drumming sessions and creating personal collages. The focus is always on your personal expression and healing.
Call for creative support as you take your next steps
We know how powerful expression can be here at Next Step Recovery. Creating your new path forward can be easier when you have space to process things in more ways than just talking about them. Our experienced art and music therapists will give you the time and space to create and process your emotions so you can create a future you’re proud of. Get in touch today to get started.