Provision of creative arts interventions in UK drug and alcohol services: A cross-sectional study

Background: The provision of nonpharmacological interventions in UK drug and alcohol treatment services varies from service to service. This cross-sectional study explores the types of interventions that are available for people seeking treatment for substance use dependence within UK drug and alcohol services in the context of nonpharmacological treatment provision.

Method: A structured questionnaire was distributed to 762 UK drug and alcohol treatment services.

Results: A total of 93 drug and alcohol treatment services are included in the analysis. Key worker support 84.94 per cent and talking therapies 83.87 per cent are the most reported nonpharmacological interventions. Access to creative art provision as therapy or as an activity is reported by 51.61 per cent of included services.

Conclusion: Nonpharmacological interventions are currently an integral treatment for people who use substances. The services providing creative art interventions report a positive impact on motivation for recovery and improvement in recovery rates when included in treatment programmes.