How creative arts can support recovery

By Robby Patrick, President and Founder, The Blackburn Foundation. Published October 19, 2026. Updated October 19, 2026.

Making music and art can support addiction recovery by giving people meaningful activity, a community to belong to, and a healthy way to spend time and work through feelings. SAMHSA counts creative endeavors among the meaningful daily activities that give recovery purpose, and a 2022 Cochrane review found that music therapy added to standard care can reduce craving and increase motivation for treatment. Creative programs work best alongside treatment and recovery support, not instead of them.

How does SAMHSA define recovery?

SAMHSA, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, defines recovery as a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. It names four major dimensions that support a life in recovery:

• Health. Overcoming or managing a disease or its symptoms, and making informed, healthy choices.
• Home. A stable and safe place to live.
• Purpose. Meaningful daily activities, which SAMHSA says include a job, school, volunteering, family caretaking or creative endeavors.
• Community. Relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love and hope.

Creative work can touch two of these at once: it gives the day purpose, and when it happens in a group, it builds community.

What does research say about music and recovery?

The strongest evidence is for music therapy, which is delivered by trained music therapists as part of treatment. A 2022 Cochrane systematic review found that music therapy added to standard care can lead to moderate reductions in substance craving and can increase motivation for treatment or change. The same review found no clear benefit for depression, and the evidence base is still small, so the authors rated their confidence as moderate at best.

Research on music and the brain is growing. The National Institutes of Health and the Kennedy Center, in association with the National Endowment for the Arts, run the Sound Health initiative to study how listening to, performing and creating music engage the brain in ways that could support health and wellness.

A community music class or open art studio is not music therapy or art therapy. It can still offer what SAMHSA describes as purpose and community, alongside treatment and recovery support.

Why does community matter in recovery?

Two of SAMHSA’s guiding principles say that recovery is supported by peers and allies, and through relationships and social networks. In SAMHSA’s words, peers provide each other with a vital sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles and community. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also notes that self-help support groups can help people maintain recovery during and after treatment.

What does creative recovery look like?

It can be as simple as a weekly music lesson, a drawing class, an open studio afternoon or a performance night, in a place where no experience is needed.

That is the idea behind the Creative Arts Community Center, a project of The Blackburn Foundation at 3814 Willat Ave in Downtown Culver City. People make things together there: lessons, classes, workshops, performances and open studio time. All programming is free, inclusive and low-barrier, with no audition and nothing to prove. It was built for people navigating addiction and recovery, and for the neighborhood around it. Events and the calendar are at bfcacc.org.

Can creative programs replace treatment?

No. Creative and community programs work alongside treatment and recovery support, not instead of them. If someone needs treatment and cost is in the way, read how to pay for addiction treatment or learn about The Blackburn Foundation’s treatment scholarships.

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Talk with a qualified professional about your situation. How we write and source our guides: Editorial Policy.

Sources

1. SAMHSA, SAMHSA’s Working Definition of Recovery (2012).
2. Ghetti C, Chen XJ, Brenner AK, et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2022), Music therapy for people with substance use disorders.
3. National Institutes of Health, Sound Health: an NIH and Kennedy Center partnership.
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).
5. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988lifeline.org.