Creative therapies are great for people in addiction recovery. They offer an opportunity for addicts to break through to their inner selves. Learning to absorb and convey complex human emotions that cannot be identified or put into words – that helps build authenticity. Expressive therapies help raise self-esteem. At the same time, they keep the addict busy and productive, in a fun way.
Drama therapy was developed in the 1930s by a psychiatrist trying to help people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Today, experts still embrace drama therapy as a useful form of psychotherapy, a way to resolve stress and build character. It seems most effective when used by veterans for relief from PTSD as well as some addictive behavior that developed or swelled as a result (alcoholism, gambling, etc).
When you hear the term “drama,” you probably think of Broadway plays, period dramas, twisty plot-lines, heated stage arguments, and fake tears. Drama therapy is an exception: It takes place in treatment centers – a lot of them these days – and operates in a more specialized manner. It’s not like standard drama clubs, which make use of a broad variety of fictional situations for acting practice. In drama therapy, the scenarios are crafted by trained practitioners and psychiatrists, with one common theme in mind: addiction. Props play a pivotal role in the therapeutic aspect of it all. They grant patients an opportunistic glance at how their own behaviors affect themselves and the people around them
People begin abusing drugs for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s to get high or drunk or drunk. Other times it’s just to feel normal – to avoid sadness. Finding the root of your problem, whether through standard psychotherapies or fun, experiential types like this, is key to correcting it. If you suffer from stage fright, that’s just a bonus: you’ll learn to tackle and conquer your fears in the process.
And, of course, there’s the social benefit that comes with any activity. Rehab aside, drama in particular is infamous for having a warm, welcoming atmosphere – a great place to boost your social skills and meet some good friends.
There are many creative ways to occupy the mind and get you safely through detox and recovery. Hired Power can help you determine the best treatment and aftercare for your recovery. Call us today at 800-910-9299.
