Applied theatre as an 'alternative substance': Reflections from an applied theatre project with people in recovery from alcohol and drug dependency

Abstract

This article explores factors by which participation in applied theatre has the potential to have an impact on problem drug and alcohol users by operating as what the author refers to as 'alternative substance'. In particular, the author seeks to examine the possibility of applied theatre operating as an alternative form of 'escape' from their current community (a community of exclusion) and thereby functioning as a motivational force towards their social reintegration. The arguments proposed in this article will be supported by using examples of practice from an applied theatre project that the author conducted in the organization Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS) based in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Group art activities and arts therapies for people using substances: A rapid review of the literature

“…From reviewing the literature it would appear that participation in group arts has positive outcomes on the recovery pathways of people who misuse substances. There is convergent support from both qualitative (Biley, 2006;Dickson, 2007;Feen-Calligan, 2007;Hanes, 2007;Holt & Kaiser, 2009;Hong, Guo, Huang & Yin, 2017;Humphreys, 2000;Jaaniste, 2008;Klingemann & Klingemann, 2016;Newman, 2017;Reynolds, 2017;Roy and Manley, 2017;Skeffington & Browne, 2014;Spring, Smith & DaSilva, 2017;Zontou, 2012Zontou, , 2013 and quantitative studies (Hong, Guo, Huang & Yin, 2017;Megranahan & Lynskey, 2018;Silverman, 2011;2015;2016ab). However, research into this area is still emerging and there is substantial room for further research involving larger sample sizes.…”

“…As much of the literature discussed suggests different arts may be more appropriate for different stages of change. Zontou (2012;2013) suggests that drama can be useful in helping 'recoverists' to keep their stories alive, thus assisting them to maintain sobriety; participation in arts groups on the other hand, may be more helpful in raising awareness in people in the ambivalent or denial stages of change by supporting participants to increase their awareness and motivation of the need for change (Holt & Kaiser, 2009). Reynolds (2017) examined anecdotal evidence from the experience of using theatre to aid the recovery process with people who use substances in the UK.…”

“…In a UK study exploring anecdotal evidence of using applied theatre as part of a wider treatment programme for adults with addiction, Zontou (2012) suggests that it provides an 'escape' from their current communities of exclusion, allowing them breathing space so that they can gain motivation towards social reintegration. In a later study by the same author about 'recoverists' who had been clean from drug consumption for a minimum of 10 months, Zontou explored anecdotal evidence from engagement with applied theatre and found that it helps maintain sobriety by keeping their stories alive.…”

“…This may assist both in keeping their stories of being a wounded healer alive (Johnson, 1990) and also by providing an alternative 'high' . Additionally, this may give the individual the means to explore an alternative identity that is not associated with drug use (Humphreys, 2000;Johnson, 1990;Zontou, 2012;Zontou, 2013).…”

“I’d Probably Be Dead Now”: Evaluating the Impact of Theatre Practitioners Working on a Recovery-Based Community Drama Project

“…Thus, when community drama engages vulnerable and marginalised people, such as those in recovery, there are potential risks and challenges to the participants' wellbeing by the process itself. It is not the intention of this paper to discuss these risks; these have been outlined successfully by researchers over the decades (Boal 1995;O'Grady 2017;Reynolds and Zontou 2014;Zontou 2012). Instead, this paper uniquely examines the psychosocial impact of theatre practitioners on people in recovery, as the role of this practitioner group is rarely examined, particularly with this population.…”