ComunicAr’te - Communicating through Art in Group Therapy on Addictive Behaviors

INTRODUCTION
•Art therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic activity is therapeutic and enriches people's quality of life. Through creating art and reflecting on the processes and resulting artistic works, people can expand their knowledge of themselves and others, increase their self-esteem, better deal with symptoms, stress and traumatic experiences and develop physical, cognitive and emotional resources (Ferraz, 2009 citing American Association of Art Therapy).• The ComunicAr’te consisted of a group intervention using artistic mediators, supported by 2 therapists, in a group of patients with Substance Use Disorder. • This project received financial support through the award of a research grant from the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) Portugal. 
METHODOLOGY
MAIN GOAL : To evaluate the effectiveness of using artistic mediators in group therapy in promoting mental health, well-being and emotional expression in people with addictive behaviors. SAMPLE: -Non-probability sampling, selected for convenience. • 7 patients being followed up at the ‘Equipa Técnica Especializada de Caldas da Rainha’ with Substance Use Disorder.
DATA COLLECTION
Quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test study, without control group. Questionnaire survey: − Sociodemographic data− MHI - 5: Mental Health Inventory-5− EEE: Emotional Expressivity Scale− EMMB: Well-Being Manifestation Measure Scale.
RESULTS
-From the initial sample of 7 patients, there was 1 dropout, and it was only possible to collect data (at T1 and T2) from 5 patients.-After the end of the intervention (T3), only 2 questionnaires were completed. Therefore, only the data obtained in the 1st phase of intervention will be presented.-Sample consisting of 2 male and 3 female patients, mostly single and with an average age of 44 years.• EEE: Most patients showed less emotional expressiveness at T2.• MHI-5: There was an improvement in results in 3 patients, 1 remained unchanged and 1 showed worse results at T2.• EMMB: 4 patients had slightly higher levels of well-being at T2.  It was in the subscales of happiness, sociability and self-esteem that the best results were observed at the end of the intervention (T2).
CONCLUSION
•As positive results of this intervention, improvements in mental health and well-being levels were demonstrated, in most cases.   • Regarding Well-Being, improvements were evident in the majority of patients, in the dimensions of happiness, sociability and self-esteem.• The levels of mental health presented are worrying, which despite being better, remain very low.• Considering the small sample, it is not possible to extrapolate the results to the general population.• Considering the results obtained by Matias et al (2013) in a similar study, the hypothesis is that more significant improvements may occur in the evaluated parameters after 24 weeks of consecutive intervention.