The Benefits of Adult Coloring Books for Those in Recovery

If you find coloring soothing, it might not surprise you to learn that adult coloring books could be more than just a fun way to pass the time. In recent years, adult coloring books have been touted as an approach to self-care, potentially easing the mind and boosting relaxation. If you are currently working toward a substance-free lifestyle, you might try coloring as a healthy way to prevent boredom, alleviate stress and express yourself on your recovery journey. 

Explore the potential benefits of coloring for adults in recovery.

1. Boost Mindfulness and Relaxation

Coloring can take your attention away from your thoughts and into the present moment. Feel your worries dissipate from your awareness, concentrating on sensations such as the crayon between your fingers, the smell of the paper or the shade of your chosen color. The soft, repetitive movements of the crayon or paintbrush can bring about the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), reducing stress and encouraging relaxation. Coloring may affect recovery by helping you disengage from the buzz in your head or the bustling outside world and focus on the now.

2. May Ease Anxiety and Depression

As many as one in four adults experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD) also have some type of mental health condition like depression, generalized anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder. People with addiction very often see their use as self-medication — a way to hopefully soothe their tension, forget their worries and escape the pressures of life. However, addiction usually worsens existing challenges and brings along its own new struggles. 

Once you’re in recovery, coloring in your free time can be a welcome addition to your conventional treatment — in a study involving 120 adults, 20 minutes of mandala coloring relieved feelings of anxiety compared to plaid pattern coloring, free drawing and reading. Participants reported feeling calm, safe and at ease when enjoying this simple activity. 

3. Improve Sleep Quality

Research shows that substance use disorders and alcohol dependence often interfere with sleep quality and consistency. Good, restful sleep is crucial for recovery and gives your body and mind time to heal, so treating sleep disorders alongside SUD is paramount. Quietly coloring before trying to fall asleep may help your brain relax, redirecting your thoughts from ruminations and worries to the simple, methodical task at hand. It’s also a great substitute for screen time and can help you reduce blue light exposure before bed.

4. Provide a Healthy Distraction 

People with addiction experience changes in the brain, where substances train the neural pathways to expect an unnatural amount of dopamine. As your brain adjusts to life without substances, try pursuing healthy activities that bring you joy, comfort and fulfillment, like finishing a coloring book page or even a small part of the greater picture. As you enjoy your new hobby and achieve milestones, you might feel more motivated to continue healthy behaviors like coloring.

Coloring may also help reduce stress. When facing challenges and needing to deal with distressing emotions healthily, coloring may help you temporarily relax or distract yourself from daily worries. 

5. Improve Focus

Some experts believe coloring can help you hone your focus and attention. The more complex the design and the smaller the space for coloring, the more your brain is engaged. This is likely because activities like crossword puzzles and coloring activate your medial prefrontal cortex, which is part of your frontal lobe. This means that your brain is organizing and problem-solving as you work. Regular coloring sessions can help you focus on one thing, potentially improving your concentration and attention.

6. Promote Self-Care

Many people with dependencies spend so much time pursuing and taking substances that they miss out on essential self-care time to recharge in the present moment. Coloring is the perfect way to reclaim your quiet time and get used to “just being.” 

The low-stakes activity can be immensely satisfying, as you don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy it. Color outside the lines, or make it as neat or messy as you want. The outcome isn’t predictable or prescriptive — even if you mess up, there’s no real consequence. Let coloring be an escape rather than a way to test your capacities. Put on some music or white noise, get comfortable and bring a page to life — just for yourself.

7. Nurture Your Inner Artist

Adult coloring books allow you to nurture your inner artist. Shade in fun designs or create your own — there are no rules to this creative activity. Convey your thoughts or emotions with different colors, and let the crayon guide your self-expression on each page. Coloring can also invoke feelings of nostalgia, taking you back to your childhood and bringing back memories. 

Select a book with a theme that speaks to you — whether it’s animals or even meaningful quotes — choose your favorite colors and let your inner child run wild.

The Difference Between Art Therapy and Therapeutic Arts

Note that coloring can be a healthy self-help activity, but it is not the same as engaging with a credentialed art therapist during professional art therapy services. In art therapy, professionals can help guide you to self-soothe and either co-regulate or self-regulate while processing your emotions in recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other evidence-based treatment methods can also help.

Why Trust Us With Your Recovery?

At Diamond House Detox, we provide a sanctuary for recovery and healing using evidence-based treatment models and a team of compassionate, experienced health care professionals and therapists. As part of our comprehensive addiction program and medically assisted detox services, we offer support for co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD and OCD. You can also engage in therapeutic arts, such as painting and coloring, at Diamond House Detox. 

We prioritize privacy, comfort, expert medical care and strong relationships between our clients and our therapists for the most individualized, quality treatment possible. You’ll have access to an excellent executive chef who provides nutritionally optimized meals and a range of support groups, from LifeRing to SMART Recovery and beyond. Our facility is certified for incidental medical services, so you can receive medication and consult with a doctor on-site.

Get Your Life Back With Diamond House Recovery

Coloring can be an excellent way to relax, enjoy the moment and express yourself creatively. With the potential to calm the mind, soothe the senses and offer a healthy distraction, you may find it a healthy activity during your recovery journey. 

Diamond House Detox in northern California is your chance at self-empowerment, freedom from addiction and a renewed connection with the people you love. Give yourself the gift of recovery — contact us today to start the quick and easy admission process.

Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.

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