Date of Award

Spring 4-21-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Nicholas Suchecki

Second Advisor

Ana Bess Moyer Bell

Abstract

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, many studies have searched for treatment options that can improve communication and target the wellbeing of both the adolescent and their guardian(s). Research has shown that expressive arts therapy and harm reduction techniques help adolescents feel empowered and express and improve communication and understanding between the adolescent and their guardian. Research has also shown that adolescents are more engaged with their treatment when they feel involved in their recovery journeys and, thus, have more intrinsic motivation to recover. Thus, this study can be a valuable resource for treatment facilities to create psychoeducation tools for guardians and their adolescents with SUD. With this information, adolescents and their guardians can more effectively navigate the SUD recovery and treatment journey together. This empowers the relationship with knowledge rather than allowing uncertainty to feed their fears.

Comments

This author acknowledges her privilege as a white, cis-gender, heterosexual female who has a background in higher education and has not personally been diagnosed with SUD. However, this topic is very near and dear to this author’s heart due to people in her life who have experienced SUD. 

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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