I was just given my first look at the new book Addiction and Art by Johns Hopkins University Press and it looks great. My charcoal portrait “Drowning” was one of 61 works of art depicting addiction to be published in this book. Written by addiction scientists and professionals, this book marks the intersection of science and the visual arts. It captures the real-world experience of addiction and recovery as revealed through the visual arts and written word. “Science gives us the tools, but art gives us the inspiration and the drive to make a difference in reducing addiction and helping people achieve recovery”.
Written by addiction scientists and professionals, this book marks the intersection of science and the visual arts. It captures the real-world experience of addiction and recovery as revealed through the visual arts and written word. “Science gives us the tools, but art gives us the inspiration and the drive to make a difference in reducing addiction and helping people achieve recovery”.
Here is an excerpt from the book:
“Addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is one of the major public health issues of our time. It accounts for one of every five deaths in the United States and costs approximately one-half trillion dollars per year in health care expenditures and lost productivity. Its human costs are untold and perhaps uncountable. Addiction and Art puts a human face on addiction through the creative work of individuals who have been touched by it.
The art included here presents unique stories about addiction. Many pieces are stark representations of life on the edge. Others are disturbing contemplations of life, meaning, and death. Some even reflect the allure of addiction and a fondness for substance abuse. A panel of addiction scientists, artists, and professionals from the art world selected the 61 pieces included here from more than 1,000 submissions. Accompanied by a written statement from the artist, each creation is emblematic of the destructive power of addiction and the regenerative power of recovery.
Stunning and occasionally unsettling, this unique portfolio reveals addiction art as a powerful complement to addiction science.”
If you are interested in purchasing a copy, visit Johns Hopkins University Press.
