Writing Therapy
There are many things in the arts that help release emotional stresses we encounter every day. Writing therapy is one of those methods we use to teach people to express themselves and reduce anxiety at the same time. The physical process of writing something down connects to the brain so that we can make sure our words flow well and the soul can be free of internal conflict. Writing therapy allows each patient the ability to look deeper into any feelings they have of regret, guilt, fear and the obsession with addiction. In the recovery community, writing therapy is offered as an integrative therapy in combination with traditional counseling and group therapy since it can help increase motivation. At Cypress Lake Recovery, we encourage all types of writing including fiction writing or creative writing and guided journaling each day.
Writing Curbs Relapse from Emotional Triggers
When looking for the cause of relapse in many people suffering from addiction, the problem is that deep emotion is triggered and not the craving. These cravings for alcohol and addictive substances are part of the problem, but when we experience high levels of emotional stresses, then it is likely that relapse will occur if the patient is not prepared. At Cypress Lake Recovery, we teach people to write their feelings and emotions down on paper, whether it’s daily exercises we offer them or something creative as the base for their feelings. Writing therapy is an exciting field of treatment because we find that patients enjoy these quiet moments of reflection, and it allows them to see a roadmap for treatments during their individual sessions.
Planting the Seed of Success
Writing therapy helps patients see their goals and to imagine what life without substance abuse will be like after recovery. We often have our patients write about the future they see for themselves without addiction and to create a future model for their lives. We know that this future planning is part of the visual process in their mind’s eye. If we can visualize ourselves in the position of being sober and free from addiction, that means therapy has an open door to set in and begin working on the addictive mind.
Writing therapy can allow deep-rooted subconscious thoughts to make their way into a piece of fiction; working with counselors and those specializing in writing therapy can bring these pieces of interest into perspective for patients. The more we write positively about our futures and are allowed to reflect on the past, we can see success beginning to take hold and grow from within; we see this reflected as recovery time passes and patients are open to sharing their work and talking about their journal entries or past events.
Creative Outlet for Emotional Stresses in Writing Therapy
There are many things in the arts that help release emotional stresses we encounter every day. Writing therapy is one of those methods we use to teach people to express themselves and reduce anxiety at the same time. Writing is cathartic in that the physical process of writing something down connects to the brain so that we can make sure our words flow well and the soul can be free of internal conflict. Writing therapy allows each patient the ability to look deeper into any feelings they have of regret, guilt, fear and the obsession with addiction. In the recovery community, writing therapy is offered as an integrative therapy in combination with traditional counseling and group therapy since it can help increase motivation. At Cypress Lake Recovery, we encourage all types of writing including fiction writing or creative writing and guided journaling each day.
Writing Curbs Relapse from Emotional Triggers
When looking for the cause of relapse in many people suffering from addiction, the problem is that deep emotion is triggered and not the craving. These cravings for alcohol and addictive substances are part of the problem, but when we experience high levels of emotional stresses, then it is likely that relapse will occur if the patient is not prepared. At Cypress Lake Recovery, we teach people to write their feelings and emotions down on paper, whether it’s daily exercises we offer them or something creative as the base for their feelings. Writing therapy is an exciting field of treatment because we find that patients enjoy these quiet moments of reflection, and it allows them to see a roadmap for treatments during their individual sessions.
Benefits of writing therapy:
- Reduces stress
- Lowers anxiety
- Reduces confusion of events
- Supports self-reflection
- Increases motivation
- Promotes sober living success
- Assists counselors and patients when looking for emotional concerns
- Boosts confidence in group therapy as we share our work
- Provides an emotional outlet that patients can use at home
- Boosts communication
- Promotes memory
- Improves planning and cognitive function
- Cultivates mindfulness
Planting the Seed of Success
Writing therapy helps patients see their goals and to imagine what life without substance abuse will be like after recovery. We often have our patients write about the future they see for themselves without addiction and to create a future model for their lives. We know that this future planning is part of the visual process in their mind’s eye. If we can visualize ourselves in the position of being sober and free from addiction, that means therapy has an open door to set in and begin working on the addictive mind.
Writing therapy can assuage deep-rooted subconscious thoughts to make their way into a piece of fiction; working with counselors and those specializing in writing therapy can bring these pieces of interest into perspective for patients. The more we write positively about our futures and are allowed to reflect on the past, we can see success beginning to take hold and grow from within; we see this reflected as recovery time passes and patients are open to sharing their work and talking about their journal entries or past events.
Within our patients at Cypress Lake Recovery, we see deep reflection happening every day and the inevitable aha moments surface. The gorgeous backdrop that nature provides here at Cypress is the perfect place for them to take their writing outside and enjoy the sunshine, the shade of trees and the comforting fresh air.
To learn more about our writing therapy sessions as an integrative therapy for addiction, please call Cypress Lake Recovery today at 409-407-5463.