Alcohol abuse and drug abuse often develope as a means of managing emotions that are disturbing, unfamiliar, or overwhelming. But when cutting off distressing feelings becomes an entrenched way of coping, we end up being disconnected from our inner resources of strength and hope. Art therapy is powerful therapeutic tool that can help one uncover the situations and emotions that trigger the desire for alcohol or drugs. By using creativity to explore previously hidden feelings, the underlying issues that gave rise to substance abuse are identified, and new ways of self-nurturing are discovered.