Creative Expression in Treatment and Recovery

Panelists will showcase creative expression programs that contribute to stigma reduction, treatment, and recovery.

As Coloradans battle substance use disorders (SUDs), one of the biggest barriers is stigma. About 80,000 Coloradans said they went without needed substance use treatment in 2021 and cited stigma as a top reason. To break through those perceptions, the Colorado Department of Human Services’ Office of Behavioral Health launched the Recovery Cards Project, an initiative of the Lift The Label anti-stigma campaign. A diverse group of 21 Colorado artists, including people in recovery, transformed messages from the recovery community into greeting cards that celebrate Coloradans who have overcome addiction, those working toward it, and the loved ones who support them. Charlotte Whitney, the department’s Communications and Outreach Manager, will cover how stigma thwarts treatment, the power of validating messages, and how to work with the recovery community to improve engagement.

Atlanta-based R2ISE, INC., is a nonprofit Recovery Community Arts Organization (RCO) that utilizes dance, drumming, visual and theatrical arts, spoken word, and photography to promote a self-directed approach for peers to embrace their recovery. Through artistic expression, peers are inspired and empowered to support, offer support, and breakdown stigma (both internal and external) by sharing their recovery expressions in the community. Alexia Jones, R2ISE Founder and Executive Director and a person in long-term recovery, will share how the genesis and growth of R2ISE, the only arts focused RCO in Georgia, has transformed peers, staff, and the surrounding community. Jones will inspire participants to embrace a new perspective of art, wellness, and recovery.

The Louisville-based Volunteers of America (VOA) Mid-States’ Arts in Healing program finds creative and effective ways to use the arts in recovery and treatment, based on research that shows exposure to music and the arts stimulates the brain, improves focus, lowers resistance to treatment, heightens coping skills, and builds relationships. Rickey Green will share his experience as a graduate of VOA Men’s Addiction Recovery who went on to become a VOA Board Member and a well-known hip-hop artist who performs as Dolla Green. Green uses his music to tell the story of his journey ― from being addicted and incarcerated to being a successful small business owner, performer, motivational speaker, and community activist. Using real-world success stories and data, he will discuss how the arts help VOA clients, how his journey resonates with the public and people being served by VOA, and how the arts can be an inspiring and results-oriented part of treatment and recovery.