Can arts practice support addiction recovery?

Almost 80 percent of UWL’s research is rated as world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) in the latest Government Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment. UWL is also ranked in the top 100 universities in the UK for the overall quality of our research.

Dr Cathy Sloan, Senior Lecturer in Applied and Socially Conscious Theatre at the University of West London, researches how the performing arts can aid in the recovery of people who have been affected by addiction.

Dr Sloan analyses examples of recovery-engaged performance practices within the UK in her book ‘Messy Connections’ and explains how recovery can be guided through artistic expression. This type of activity can prove beneficial for those who have been affected by addiction as it creates supportive social environments and atmospheres.

“When I started to work at UWL and discovered the joys of the Knowledge Exchange Seed Fund, I took that opportunity to present to the group and say, ‘what if we had a showcase? What if we had an official launch, and we started to think about being a visible entity?’”

This resulted in the launch of the Addiction Recovery Arts Network, which brings together groups, individuals and key stake holders from the recovery arts sector through its magazine Performing Recovery, regular conferences, and presence at events related to recovery.