THE ROLE OF ARTS AND CRAFTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ADDICTION
Many rehab facilities often use arts and crafts in their addiction treatment, and it has proved to be a potent one. Most times, people do not really regard arts and crafts as something which they should associate themselves with, and this is due to the fact that they believe it is only for children. However, it should be known that arts and crafts is one of the fundamental ways of ensuring that the heart, mind and spirit are healed.
Also, with relaxation, a sense of purpose, thoughtfulness and expression alongside with creativity, it would give the artist a chance to undergo the healing process which occurs internally during the course of arts creation.
For a recovering addict, the mental stimulation of the creative pathway, is one of the most essential merits which he can gain. A good part of addiction treatment contains cognitive behavioural exercises which aids a person in knowing what caused their addiction in the first instance, and how to properly redirect their thought-process.
Arts and crafts gives an addict the opportunity to express their emotions and feelings in a way which can be regarded as healthy. This is very essential to someone who is in the process of recovery, because it is an emotional combat. Quite a number of people who have issues dealing with addiction, to the point where they would require treatment, can be said to have psychological problems, before they can be declared to be mentally healthy.
The inclusion of arts and crafts helps the addicts by giving them an entire creative expression, whereby they have the luxury of controlling the entire process and the eventual outcome. It is also important that the addict addresses the issue of addiction as if it is an independent entity.
Also, the process of undergoing an entire creative-thought process can be regarded as being productive, and beneficial for mental health and wellness. By engaging in arts and crafts, the addict is able to freely express his thoughts, which transcends into a configuration of healthy communication and thinking.