Our 10-week In-patient detox program is an immersive experience infused with the healing power of art. While our ultimate vision is to establish an Art Retreat amidst the tranquility of nature, our current sessions take place within the confines of a medical facility.
At the onset of the program, we employ our unique interpretation of the Rorschach test, tailored to each veteran's individual experience. Rather than verbal interpretation, participants are provided with a personalized Rorschach Test template and given white and black pens to express their perceptions visually. This method taps into the intimate connection between one's hands and the canvas, allowing for the release of internalized emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
Throughout the program, veterans engage in structured art classes, held 5 to 7 days a week for 3 to 7 hours each day. Using their chosen vice (such as bud light or vodka) as a painting tool, participants adopt a technique akin to pointillism, imprinting a new, healing significance onto their relationship with alcohol and the bottle itself. Integrated Therapy Approaches: In addition to art therapy, our program integrates various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and group counseling. These holistic approaches address the multifaceted aspects of addiction, equipping participants with coping strategies, resilience, and improved overall well-being.
Recognizing that not all veterans may identify as artists, we offer collaborative art projects with professional artists, presented as paint-by-numbers kits. This approach shifts the focus from technical accuracy to emotional expression, fostering mental resilience and growth over time. Initial sessions focus on smaller, manageable pieces, gradually progressing to larger works that encourage sustained commitment and progress.
Our unique Rorschach Test is administered at the program's outset, midpoint, and conclusion, providing a playful yet insightful measure of personal growth. To complement the art component, therapy sessions, exploratory activities in various art forms (such as music and poetry), and optional group therapy sessions are interspersed throughout the curriculum. Art therapists are available to provide guidance and analysis of artwork, with additional therapists on standby to address any triggers or emotional challenges that may arise.
Understanding that behavioral change takes time, our program is designed as an ongoing, continuous support system. Participants have access to free ongoing therapy and support services, seamlessly integrated with our other Arts4Vets programs, ensuring sustained healing and growth beyond the initial 10-week program.
While both AA and our therapy program share the goal of helping individuals overcome alcohol addiction, our Beer Bottle 10-week In-patient detox program distinguishes itself by incorporating art therapy alongside traditional detoxification methods. By utilizing beer bottles as tools for self-expression to paint with instead of a paint brush, participants can reshape their connection with alcohol and discover alternative coping strategies. Our program serves as a creative outlet, promoting personal development and heightened self-awareness in participants.
1. Art Therapy: This program utilizes art therapy as a unique approach to addiction recovery, allowing participants to express themselves creatively through painting with beer bottles. By engaging in art-making, individuals can explore their emotions, experiences, and inner thoughts in a non-verbal manner.
2. Disassociation from Alcohol Consumption: By repurposing beer bottles as tools for artistic expression rather than objects of consumption, participants can shift their perception and relationship with alcohol. Painting with beer bottles allows individuals to reclaim these objects and redefine their meaning, fostering a sense of empowerment and control over their addiction.
3. Intensive Painting Sessions: Participants immerse themselves in frequent and extended painting sessions, providing ample time for self-reflection, introspection, and emotional processing. The immersive nature of the program allows individuals to fully engage in the creative process and experience the therapeutic benefits of art-making.
4. Integrated Therapy Approaches: In addition to art therapy, the program integrates various forms of therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and group counseling. These complementary approaches address the psychological, emotional, and behavioral aspects of addiction, helping participants develop coping skills, build resilience, and enhance their overall well-being.
1. Spiritual and Peer Support: AA meetings provide a sense of belonging and community, offering individuals struggling with alcohol addiction an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences. Members offer each other emotional support and encouragement throughout their recovery journey.
2. Twelve-Step Program: AA follows a structured approach to recovery outlined in its 12-step program. These steps guide individuals through a process of self-reflection, acceptance, and personal growth, ultimately leading to sobriety and spiritual awakening.
3. Sobriety Maintenance: AA promotes abstinence from alcohol as the primary goal of recovery. Members are encouraged to remain sober one day at a time and to seek support from fellow members, sponsors, and a higher power to maintain their sobriety.
4. Group Therapy: AA meetings serve as a form of group therapy where members can openly share their struggles, successes, and challenges in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Through sharing and listening to others' stories, members gain insight, perspective, and motivation to overcome their addiction.
Overall, while both AA and the Beer Bottle 10-Week In-patient Detox Program aim to support individuals in their recovery from alcohol addiction, they differ in their approaches and methodologies. AA emphasizes spiritual and peer support, adherence to the 12-step program, and group therapy, while the detox program incorporates art therapy, disassociation from alcohol consumption, intensive painting sessions, and integrated therapy approaches to promote healing and recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Program:
- Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.aa.org/
- Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2020). Alcoholics Anonymous. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.
- Humphreys, K., Blodgett, J. C., & Wagner, T. H. (2014). Estimating the efficacy of Alcoholics Anonymous without self-selection bias: An instrumental variables re-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 38(11), 2688-2694.
- Kelly, J. F., Greene, M. C., & Bergman, B. G. (2019). Beyond abstinence: Changes in indices of quality of life with time in recovery in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 43(2), 348-359.
Beer Bottle 10-Week In-patient Detox Program:
- Schaverien, J. (2015). Art, psychotherapy, and psychosis: A phenomenological inquiry. Routledge.
- Malchiodi, C. A. (Ed.). (2012). Handbook of art therapy (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Koening, H. G., Cohen, H. J., George, L. K., Hays, J. C., Larson, D. B., & Blazer, D. G. (1995). Attendance at religious services, interleukin-6, and other biological parameters of immune function in older adults. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 25(4), 305-322.
- Edwards, D. J. A., Pearson, D. G., & Fowler, D. (2017). Paranoid thinking as a heuristic. Psychological Medicine, 47(4), 677-687.
These programs are currently in development and testing as we work diligently to collaborate with local colleges and veterans' centers to conduct a study that will enhance the efficacy of our Detox program. Our ultimate goal is to offer this program nationwide as a reliable source of support.
Please note that our intake for the Detox program is currently closed. However, we encourage you to explore our other Arts4Vets programs. Additionally, if you haven't already tried AA, we recommend reaching out to your local chapter for group therapy options. If you're interested in participating in our study or contributing to our research efforts, please reach out to Marcus at info@TrueTop1Percent.com.
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