Summary Box
Recovery from substance use disorder is built through small, meaningful moments of connection, and art plays a powerful role in that process. Overdose Lifeline’s De-Stigmatize: Healing Through Art exhibit brought together artists in recovery to share their stories through guided art therapy, helping reduce stigma while fostering understanding and healing. The exhibit, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, highlighted how creative expression—much like the artifacts created at Camp Mariposa—can ground individuals, strengthen community, and support long-term recovery for both adults and youth affected by substance use disorder.
Substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is not achieved through one linear path or one significant moment. It is a patchwork of small, tangible moments of human connection that happen over time. These events, rooted in community, discovery, and intention, drive those affected by SUD forward along with specialized addiction recovery programming.
One part of this holistic treatment strategy is art, namely, artifacts that not only give something tangible to hold onto but also a thoughtful representation of the struggles of addiction recovery that help remove the stigma around SUD. These artifacts help people feel grounded, supported, and less alone.
Overdose Lifeline (ODL) recently held an event, De-Stigmatize: Healing Through Art, to honor this part of recovery and showcase the impact of these artifacts and their long-term effects on people affected by this disease.
About the Exhibit
De-Stigmatize: Healing Through Art is a product of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts, Health, and Well-Being program, produced in partnership with the Indy Arts Council. This was ODL’s first time hosting an event like this, combining creativity with recovery stories, and we would certainly like to continue it given its meaningful impact.
The event was an immersive experience with a reception and accompanying exhibit honoring the creative voices of individuals in recovery. Trained artists and therapists guided participants over 8 weeks, helping them explore art therapy as a way to express their experiences and support healing.
All artwork featured reflects each participant’s personal journey of navigating the shame and stigma felt as they move through healing and toward recovery. There were three unique ways attendees could interact with the exhibit:
- Telling Your Story Through Art – Collage Storytelling
- Emotion Color Wheel – Communicating Feelings
- Shining Light on Stigma – Collaborative Community Art Piece
Two artists also explained their rationale behind their works, showcasing the strong effect art has on their recovery.
Hope Heals
“I named this piece Hope Heals because, through recovery, I have experienced so much love and joy. Through turning my will over to God, as I understand Him, and holding onto hope, I believe this life and experience are what heal my spirit.”
– Artist, Mixed Media
Beautifully Mended
“I am trying to show up in the world as love and peace. This piece reminds me that it’s about progress, not perfection, and as long as I stay teachable, I can grow.”
– Artist, Mixed Media
You can find more pictures from the exhibit here.
How the Impact of Art Shows Up in Other Overdose Lifeline Projects
The undeniable power of art appears in other areas of Overdose Lifeline’s transformative work. For example, Camp Mariposa, a youth camp for those affected by substance use disorder, allows campers to create and share art in multiple ways. Campers make friendship bracelets and exchange them with each other, reinforcing the sense of community shared among campers as they navigate the complex life experience of having a loved one dealing with substance use disorder.
Art can also be more than tangible objects. There are small moments from camp that campers take home, share with their families, and carry with them for the rest of their lives.
“When I say the word ‘artifact’, you might think of Indiana Jones or a broken piece of pottery from Pompei. You might also think about something more recent, such as your favorite stuffed animal from your childhood, a keychain you got on a family vacation, or a family heirloom handed down over generations. At camp, we think of an artifact as anything our campers take home that might spark a fun memory or remind them of a fun time. This can include arts and crafts they make, a tye-dye shirt, and the camp yearbook,” said Rachel McFadden, Clinical Director of Youth Programming and OT Clinical Education Coordinator at ODL.
Rachel also shared a story of three siblings who were removed from their home by DCF and temporarily split up before being reunited at a foster home. One of the siblings mentioned Camp Mariposa to their foster parents, and all three were able to come back to camp. Upon returning, they said they needed another friendship bracelet because theirs had fallen off, and they had often looked down and touched it to remind themselves of better times when they were going through a tough moment.
[…]they had often looked down and touched it to remind themselves of better times[..]
“For some of our kiddos, home is a place of uncertainty or instability. Those artifacts are an anchor to places and people who make them feel safe and loved,” Rachel said.
Empowerment Through Different Types of Artifacts
Whether it’s something as simple as a friendship bracelet from Camp Mariposa or something more personal like one of the pieces from the art exhibit, the power of artistic expression in the context of recovery is extremely present. There is also a nod to the more immersive sense of an ‘artifact’ that emerges through shared experiences.
We’ve heard from parents and caregivers on how being a camper at Camp Mariposa has emboldened their children. They receive support, they have a positive constant in their lives, and they show improvements at school, at home, and with their peers. This connection is an integral part of achieving long-lasting substance use disorder recovery and overcoming the stigma associated with it.
Putting recovery into artistic expression, whether a tangible object or expression of feeling, helps put a spotlight on the person, not the disease.
