Art therapy in addiction recovery the face of addiction through artworks based on clinical case studies.

Given the multifaceted nature of addiction, a multidisciplinary and comprehensive therapeutic approach is essential. Art therapy has therefore become an important complementary intervention in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings. Numerous studies support its applicability and effectiveness among individuals with addiction. Art therapy can be particularly beneficial in reducing pervasive feelings of shame and anxiety, as well as in facilitating the processing of traumatic experiences - phenomena that are common among people with substance use disorder (SUD) and are often difficult to articulate verbally. The study examines the use of art therapy with clients with SUD, with a specific focus on the therapeutic factors that emerge through clinical practice. The analysis is grounded in three interrelated theoretical frameworks that help explain potential mechanisms of change in art therapy: trauma theory, mentalization-based approaches, and neurobiological and reward-related models. The case studies draw on two closed art therapy groups, consisting of 8 and 12 sessions respectively, at a drug outpatient treatment centre. Each group comprised eight adult participants with SUD. Most participants presented with comorbid conditions. Findings from the case studies suggest that the therapeutic factors associated with art therapy play a meaningful role in clients' recovery processes. Evidence of recovery is reflected in the artworks produced during therapy, which offer insight into clients' personalities, emerging behavioural and emotional patterns, and ongoing personal transformation. These visual expressions reflect clients' current level of self-awareness and may highlight obstacles that may hinder recovery. In this way, the artworks function as visual narratives that both document and support the therapeutic process. The findings provide practical implications for clinicians seeking to integrate art therapy into addiction treatment. They also contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of the arts in supporting recovery among individuals with SUD. Given the high prevalence of comorbid personality disorders and trauma histories among individuals with SUD, art therapy serves as a uniquely adaptable modality that complements both verbal psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions. Art therapy is also a valuable tool for status assessment, offering insight into personality traits and emotional states.