An evaluation study of art therapy provision in a residential Addiction Treatment Programme (ATP)

Abstract

This evaluation study explores art therapy provision in a residential addiction treatment programme. The study comprises a literature review followed by an empirical study. The literature review outlines the main theoretical writing relating to art therapy in the treatment of addictive patients. In addition literature concerning contrasting treatment perspectives for the treatment of substance abuse is considered, as is brief therapy in inpatient settings. The empirical study is divided into three parts. The first section is the initial definition of service to patients and staff, which resulted in the production of a leaflet defining service. The second section explores art therapy from a clinical perspective. In the third section consideration is given to patients’ assessment of service in response to an evaluation questionnaire introduced in order to assist quality of service. Although this study locates the art therapy provision in the particular treatment context described, I hope to clarify how art therapy might benefit patients suffering from addiction, irrespective of the treatment setting.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the many people involved in this project from colleagues and management in the hospital, to patients who took part in the questionnaire. I had great support and encouragement from all concerned, and would particularly like to thank my art therapy colleague Helen Wallace, and the former patient whose work forms the basis for the case study, for their contributions.