Recovery and the Arts by William S. Barnett, D.Min., International Network of Creatives, President and CEO

Every 5 minutes, a person dies of a drug overdose in the United States. Six people die from alcohol poisoning in the United States each day. 76% of these people are men, with 76% of deaths in adults ages 35–64 due to alcohol poisoning. One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds. The “domino effect” impacts us individually and those around us, fracturing families and relationships.

The International Network of Creatives (INC), a global nonprofit based in Southwest Florida, brings hope and healing through its arts outreach programs to underprivileged families and adults battling addictions and mental illness.

INC is committed to addressing the crisis.
Each year, INC touches hundreds in the community who battle addiction and mental illness through its Arts for Recovery program, an extension of its Compassion Initiative. Arts for
Recovery allows individuals to tell their stories through creative arts, releasing deep hurts and reaching those often in their darkest hours.

INC is achieving significant outcomes, touching over 6,000 adults who battle addiction and mental illness since 2015. For over a decade, INC has brought its Arts for Recovery program to organizations such as David Lawrence Centers, NAMI Collier, and others.

Scott Burgess, CEO of David Lawrence Centers shares:
“The Expressive Art and Music outreach programs that INC facilitates at the David Lawrence Center’s Crossroads Residential Program have enriched the lives of many individuals healing from mental health and substance use challenges. Art and music therapy provide a healing pathway and allow for expressing repressed, hidden feelings that are not easily put into words. Yet, given these outlets, the inner hurt bursts forward into cathartic expression.”

A Strategy to Reverse the Domino Effect
Arts for Recovery is thoughtfully designed to guide adults in recovery on the path of discipleship and personal development, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to lead fulfilling lives. It covers a wide range of essential life skills, including the arts, communication, creative and critical thinking, hygiene, lifestyle choices, meal preparation, relationships, decision-making, and career planning. Grounded in Christian values, the program provides both guidance and encouragement, equipping individuals to move forward with confidence and purpose.

To minimize relapse and save more lives, INC is incorporating life skills training into the Arts for Recovery Program to transform lives from active addiction and isolation to progressive recovery and connection in a caring community through creative expression and engagement, life recovery teaching, upskilling and reskilling pathways, mentor-based learning, volunteer and service opportunities.

We observe the skills and turn them into strengths.
The program, set to launch this new program, is thoughtfully designed to guide adults in recovery on the path of discipleship and personal development, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to lead fulfilling lives. It covers a wide range of essential life skills, including the arts, communication, creative and critical thinking, hygiene, lifestyle choices, meal preparation, relationships, decision-making, and career planning. Grounded in Christian values, the program provides both guidance and encouragement, equipping individuals to move forward with confidence and purpose. INC’s holistic approach supports healing the whole person in mind, body, and soul.

For more information about INC and its Arts for Recovery Program, please call 239.234.2745 or visit internationalnetworkofcreatives.org