International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Addressing Trouble Through Tradition: Art & Culture as Interventions for Substance Use Prevention and Management in Adolescents

Art is a constant agent of transformation and is indeed the soul’s drive to health ………The Soul’s Palette, Cathy Malchiodi Addiction and substance abuse among adolescents have become major public health and social concerns globally. The WHO (2023) identifies adolescence as a critical period for the initiation of alcohol, tobacco and drug use with early exposure increasing the likelihood of lifelong dependency. Unlike adult addiction, adolescent substance abuse is deeply embedded in developmental processes such as identity formation, emotional regulation and social belonging. Psychological vulnerabilities intersect with sociological processes of socialization shaping adolescent behavior. In order to understand and address adolescent addiction both perspectives need to be integrated. Hence, including performative and expressive practices alongside the traditional therapies have been found to provide a more holistic approach to healing such issues. Coined officially by Adrian Hill in 1942 as “Art Therapy”, expressive and performative art has been intertwined with healing, across diverse global cultures for thousands of years. The therapeutic value of Arts has been found to be particularly effective at bypassing the verbal barriers to voice hidden needs, externalize trauma and support wellbeing. The philosophy & practice of Indian traditional art forms have the potential to motivate and engage people for a holistic psychosomatic wellness. Even though this therapeutic value finds mention from the Ayurveda to the concept of Sangeeta and Natyashastra, the practical implementation of this in the Indian context is limited whereas much research and work is in progress in different parts of the world. This article will attempt to understand and analyse the socio-psychological contexts of adolescent addiction and review the methods and efficacy of implementing performative and expressive traditional arts as therapeutic methods for prevention and rehabilitation. Key words: Adolescent, Art, Substance use, Holistic Healing, Prevention, Therapy