What Is Craft Therapy and How Does It Help Addiction Recovery?

What Is Craft Therapy and How Does It Help Addiction Recovery?

Addiction recovery is a complex process that requires more than just abstaining from substances. It involves healing the mind, body, and spirit—and for many individuals, creative therapies provide a much-needed outlet for self-expression, emotional processing, and inner peace. One increasingly recognised form of creative intervention is craft therapy.

Craft therapy uses hands-on creative activities—like painting, knitting, pottery, collage, or woodworking—as therapeutic tools to support emotional healing and personal growth. Often used in conjunction with talk therapy, craft therapy is becoming a valuable part of holistic recovery programs across Canada, including those offering Calgary addiction counselling.

In this article, we’ll explore what craft therapy involves, how it supports addiction recovery, and why more counselling professionals are integrating creative modalities into their treatment programs.