The art therapy directive “Cut and paste magazine words/images to illustrate your Inner addict or alcoholic” inspired this provocative response from an adult at an inpatient treatment center. With this clever Ransom Note he conjures up the relationship between hostage and kidnapper. The addict sees himself as victim; at the mercy of his drug of choice and compares it to how he feels – blindsided, tricked, abducted and absolutely powerless over his cravings and obsessions. It is as if alcohol and … [Read more...] about My Inner Addict
chemical dependency
Acting Out Sexually
This bold drawing in four parts tells the story. Seeking OUTSIDE oneself for validation, love and esteem is the set up for addiction. How do you know it’s addiction? Because it fuels or feeds SELF HATE. That is the root of all addiction; how we hate ourselves and teach others to hate us too. In the case of this particular oil pastel drawing we see the addiction cycle acted out as relationship addiction complicated by body image stuff. Feeling alone, fat like Jabba the Hutt, depressed and … [Read more...] about Acting Out Sexually
Process and Product
I tell clients (and prospective clients) that it is NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE ART TALENT OR TRAINING to benefit from art therapy. You don't even have to be able to draw! Here is a collage made by a chemically dependent adult recently in a treatment center. The directive was to make a comparative collage using words and images cut from magazines. On the left hand side is "Drunk me/Using me" and on the right "Sober me/Clean me." Look how scattered and random the images on the left are! They are … [Read more...] about Process and Product
Boundaries
BOUNDARIES At the most basic level, boundaries describe an individual’s “close comfort” zone. Where “I” end and “you” begin. Personal space, skin, energy field, mind your own business. A healthy person’s boundaries are flexible and vary from intimate friend to casual acquaintance to total stranger. Boundaries are for protection and esteem and individuation. Healthy boundaries are empowering and encourage self-reliance and responsibility. Healthy parenting looks a lot like a good Al Anon – … [Read more...] about Boundaries
Big Black Hole
Symbol of my Disease oil clay sculpture by "M" inpatient for alcoholism Several things happen when an alcoholic begins to grapple with the reality of his/her diagnosis. Most people need some time to assimilate all the implications. Some individuals are helped by the knowledge that alcoholism is a DISEASE; it is not weakness of character or evidence of innate badness. This can be a huge relief. The disease concept also lays the groundwork for the idea that the disease itself is separate from … [Read more...] about Big Black Hole
Bi Polar bracelet
bi polar bracelet by "F" recovering addict Very often when an addict stops using s/he finds an underlying emotional/psychological problem. This begs the old chicken/egg question; did drug addiction and use cause the mental health issue or was it the precursor that prompted the individual to use in the first place? It may be an attempt to self-medicate a pre-existing condition. Common dual diagnoses include alcoholism/drug addiction and depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, various … [Read more...] about Bi Polar bracelet
Housecleaning
Alcoholism/Recovery oil pastel on paper This pair of drawings is a response by F., a middle aged woman who proclaimed, “I can’t draw!” the minute she heard the words “art therapy”. I asserted my disclaimer – that I was not looking for talent or training – which did not put her at ease. The funny thing is that you don’t need artistic talent or training to benefit from art therapy. Almost anyone can benefit. You’ll see what I mean. This is F’s art response to the directive “Draw a picture of … [Read more...] about Housecleaning
Codependency
Codependency is modeled everywhere we look in our culture. From the alcoholic family-next- door to the silver screen to the lyrics of pop music to Catholic marriage vows. I don’t know how I could have grown up any different; both my parents were raised by codependent parents who were, guess what, also raised by codependents. Alcoholism, green thumbs and relationship addiction are in my lineage just like being short and prone to spending freely. What motivates codependence is the idea that we are … [Read more...] about Codependency