Artificial intelligence has transformed many aspects of our daily lives, including the way we create and consume images. With tools like MidJourney, DALL-E, and Adobe Firefly there are some very capable AI picture maker tools on the market nowadays where virtually anyone can generate stunning visuals in seconds. While these advancements offer exciting possibilities for creativity and digital expression, they also present psychological challenges that can impact mental well-being. For those in addiction recovery, where emotional stability and a sense of reality are crucial, understanding the effects of AI-generated imagery is more important than ever.
AI-generated images are everywhere, from marketing campaigns and social media posts to therapy applications and personal artistic endeavors. While they allow for unlimited creative expression, their psychological impact varies depending on how they are used and perceived. So on the one hand, these tools can offer therapeutic benefits, such as visualizing emotions in an abstract way or helping individuals express themselves creatively without the need for advanced artistic skills. On the other, they can contribute to distorted perceptions of reality, heightened social comparison, and emotional distress—factors that can be particularly harmful to those recovering from addiction.
How AI-Generated Images Can Negatively Affect Mental Health in Recovery
AI-generated imagery often portrays idealized versions of reality, particularly in the realms of beauty and body image. These digitally enhanced visuals, free from human imperfections, set impossible standards that can lead to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and even disordered behaviors..
For individuals in addiction recovery, the journey often involves rebuilding self-worth and self-compassion. Constant exposure to flawless AI-generated images on social media can undermine this process, fostering feelings of inadequacy or rekindling unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use as a way to escape perceived shortcomings.
AI-driven deepfakes altered images and videos that convincingly mimic real-life scenarios—are becoming more sophisticated. These manipulated realities can be damaging, especially when they are used for malicious purposes like misinformation or cyberbullying.
For many people, maintaining a stable emotional state is crucial. If AI-generated content is used to deceive, gaslight, or emotionally manipulate individuals, it can erode trust, trigger anxiety, and even contribute to relapse. The inability to differentiate between real and AI-generated content can create a sense of instability in an already fragile psychological state.
While digital art and AI-generated visuals can be therapeutic, they can also serve as a form of escapism. Many people in addiction recovery struggle with dissociation—using distractions to avoid facing emotions or past traumas. Engaging excessively with AI-generated fantasy worlds may delay or obstruct real-world healing by reinforcing avoidance behaviors.
A balanced approach is needed to ensure that digital creativity serves as a tool for healing rather than a means of detachment from reality.
Body Image and Self-Esteem:
A 2023 study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that exposure to AI-generated beauty images on social media can lead to increased body dissatisfaction and anxiety, particularly among young adults. Further to this a paper from the Journal of Behavioral Addictions suggests that excessive engagement with AI-generated content can contribute to digital escapism, a behavior often linked to addiction and mental health issues.
- Research from the American Psychological Association (APA) states that hyper-realistic AI-generated beauty standards can lead to increased social comparison, triggering body dysmorphic tendencies.
- A report from The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) warns that AI-generated influencers and beauty content contribute to unrealistic body ideals, potentially exacerbating eating disorders.
The study sheds light on the growing relationship between AI use and mental health in teenagers. It found that 17.14% of adolescents showed signs of AI dependence initially, and that number increased to 24.19% over time. Interestingly, it wasn’t AI use itself that caused mental health problems, but rather, teens struggling with anxiety and depression were more likely to become reliant on AI. Many turned to AI for emotional escape or social connection, while using AI for entertainment or practical tasks didn’t seem to lead to dependence. With nearly half of 12- to 17-year-olds already using AI-powered voice assistants and more than 55% engaging with them daily the study highlights the fine line between AI as a helpful tool and AI as an emotional crutch. While fears of widespread AI addiction in many cases may be overblown, it’s clear that as AI becomes more integrated into daily life, we need to better understand its long-term effects on mental health.
How AI-Generated Images Can Support Mental Health and Recovery
Despite these risks, AI-generated images can be harnessed for positive mental health outcomes, particularly when used intentionally in therapeutic settings.
AI art tools provide an accessible way for individuals to explore their emotions through visual storytelling. In addiction recovery, expressing complex emotions can be difficult, especially for those who struggle with verbal communication. AI-generated imagery can help individuals externalize their inner experiences, creating visuals that reflect their emotions and thought processes in a tangible way.
Therapists can integrate AI-generated art into sessions by guiding individuals to create images that represent their current emotional state, their journey toward sobriety, or their hopes for the future. This process can be especially helpful in identifying emotional triggers and working through past trauma.
Visualization is a powerful tool in addiction recovery. AI-generated imagery can be used to create calming landscapes or symbolic representations of personal growth. Some recovery programs incorporate visualization exercises to help individuals mentally rehearse healthy coping strategies, imagine their ideal sober life, or reinforce positive affirmations.
By generating personalized imagery that represents peace, stability, or self-compassion, individuals can cultivate a stronger connection to their recovery goals.
One of the challenges in addiction recovery is access to consistent mental health support. AI-generated imagery, combined with digital mental health tools, can help bridge this gap. Personalized visuals can be used in self-help apps, guided meditation programs, or even online therapy platforms to create more immersive and engaging experiences.
For example, AI tools could generate custom motivational images tailored to an individual’s recovery journey, offering daily visual reminders of progress.
Use in Therapitic Environments
A study in Frontiers in Psychology discusses how AI-generated art can be used in therapy to help patients visualize and externalize emotions.
The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment highlights AI-assisted visualization techniques as emerging tools in addiction recovery, allowing individuals to create personal narratives and recovery roadmaps through imagery.
AI-generated imagery is opening new doors in mental health support, particularly through AI-empowered imagery writing (AIW). This approach combines the power of expressive writing “a well-known therapy tool” in therapy with AI-generated visuals that bring emotions and thoughts to life. Research suggests that this method can help people better express their feelings, gain new perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of their experiences. AIW has the potential to be a widely accessible tool for self-reflection, trauma healing, and emotional growth, especially for those who may struggle to put their feelings into words. However, as this technology evolves, it’s important to be mindful of ethical concerns, potential risks, and the need for further research to ensure it truly benefits mental well-being.
Navigating AI-Generated Imagery in Recovery
AI-generated imagery is a double-edged sword. It has the power to inspire and heal, but it also presents significant psychological risks, especially for individuals in addiction recovery who are working to build self-esteem, emotional resilience and a healthy sense of reality.
Deepfakes are increasingly shaping public perception and trust in AI-generated content, with studies highlighting both their dangers and potential benefits. On the negative side, deepfakes are frequently used in disinformation campaigns, political manipulation, non-consensual pornography, and fake news, contributing to the erosion of trust in media, institutions, and public figures (Hancock & Bailenson, 2021; Guess et al., 2019). The inability to distinguish real from AI-generated content makes individuals more susceptible to misinformation, amplifying skepticism toward digital media. Ethical concerns around consent, privacy, and the authenticity of media remain central challenges (Yadlin-Segal & Oppenheim, 2021). However, studies also acknowledge positive applications of deepfake technology, such as film production, education, and training simulations (Whittaker et al., 2021). The growing awareness of deepfake detection suggests a shift in digital literacy, as people are becoming more critical of AI-generated visuals. As deepfakes blur the line between reality and fabrication, ongoing research and regulation will be crucial in mitigating harm while harnessing the technology for ethical innovation.
By using AI-generated images mindfully and leveraging their benefits while mitigating their risks, people in recovery can embrace digital creativity as a tool for self-expression and healing. However, it is essential to remain aware of the potential dangers, practice media literacy, and ensure that engagement with AI-generated content aligns with personal well-being and recovery goals.
AI-generated images and content are now an inescapable part of daily life, shaping how we perceive reality, interact with technology, and even process emotions regardless of mental health status. While concerns about AI’s influence on self-esteem, misinformation, and emotional reliance are valid, blaming AI itself ignores the deeper psychological and societal factors driving its widespread adoption. From an addiction perspective, the rapid embrace of AI reflects an inherent aspect of human psychology which is the desire for connection, efficiency and enhancement of experience. Instead of resisting its presence, a more constructive approach is to understand and adapt to AI mindfully, ensuring its use supports well-being rather than detracts from it. As AI continues to evolve, its role in mental health, creativity, and even addiction recovery offers both challenges and opportunities, making it essential to engage with it consciously rather than reactively.
