Cognitive impairment expressed in drawings of healthy alcoholics serves as diagnostic and therapeutical instrument

Abstract

Background and aims:

Detoxified alcoholics often have specific deficit in perceptual capacities, motor performance, memory function and abstracting abilities. To illustrate the clinical observations of cognitive impairment expressed in drawings of alcoholics we used two case vignettes.

Method:

Qualitative analysis of form and content of drawings and group protocols were applied. Art group therapy is a part of integrative therapy in Day unit. It involves two steps: 1) drawing by free associations and 2) discussing exhibited drawings in group. The group is open, heterogeneous and meets once a week. The drawings of two healthy, neurological intact, right-handed male alcoholics, aged 36 and 39 years were analysed. They were previously hospitalised because of serious alcohol withdrawal syndrome. There was more than 4 weeks after last drink.

Results:

The both alcoholics showed impairment of perception and executive functions, but they did not notice it. After confrontation in the group they recognised their cognitive deficit and accepted that they had serious damage caused by alcohol, regardless of good medical condition. The clinical improvement was presented by improving in next drawings, and discussing in the group with more self-confidence.

Conclusion:

Art therapy makes possible visual expression of emotions, perceptions and cognitions, and provide large variety of confrontation and support within group, thus facilitating integrative therapeutic process of alcoholics.