It is well known that music has a soothing effect on people’s nerves – when you feel down and need to remind yourself of good times or relax after a long day, listening to music can help. But what about music therapy for addiction? Can listening to music or creating a musical composition help with substance abuse?
In our guide we will explore the connection between music and addiction recovery, explain why it is a smart idea to give a chance to music therapy when you are recovering from alcohol or drug abuse, and describe the practices you can try on your own or with a music therapist to heal yourself and avoid relapse.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy refers to the therapeutic use of music for treatment. Depending on the musical abilities of the patient and the goals they plan to accomplish during counseling sessions, this type of treatment can be done in different ways – some individuals compose music, others come up with their own lyrics when listening to familiar melodies, and certain patients will find comfort in listening to songs and instrumental music as a passive form of treatment.
There is a documented link between music therapy and addiction treatment. Although this is not the primary method to heal addiction, especially if the patient has been addicted to drugs and alcohol for many years with devastating repercussions, music has always been a great source of relaxation, entertainment, and distraction.
An individual who feels lost, bored, and not motivated now that alcohol and drugs are missing from their life can benefit from playing a musical instrument, singing a song on their own or with others, and performing music for a small group of recovering patients or in some cases, a large crowd. Both music lovers and talented musicians can take advantage of music therapy – find salvation in a song or get back to playing an instrument that you abandoned once addiction took control of your life.
The Neurological Benefits of Music
Evidence shows that music has a transformative capacity – when you sing out loud or start dancing to a song you loved in your teens. There is not only a psychological effect, the impact of music can also heal you physically. Your cognitive function improves when you study music or generate new lyrics for a song you know already, your memory works better when you learn new compositions by heart, and your mental alertness increases, which is why many people prefer to study or work with music on – it does not distract them, it helps them to focus and react quicker even if the activity requires a lot of concentration such as driving.
What Is Addiction Recovery?
Admitting to yourself and others you have a problem, coming up with a plan to change your lifestyle and sticking to it, and constantly searching for new ways to enrich your sober existence – these are the main components of addiction recovery. Whether you are determined to heal yourself on your own or you are seeking therapy to overcome addiction, it is crucial to set specific yet achievable goals the first day you decide to commit to your new path.
Therapists have long advised their patients to devote at least some time to music therapy on a daily basis – the emotional and cognitive effect of music can be immense whether you are playing a song to yourself, composing a melody to impress a potential partner, or dancing to express yourself through movement.
5 Ways Music Therapy May Help Those in Addiction Recovery
| Benefits of Music Therapy | Description |
Stress Reduction | It is hard to cope with sobriety, especially in the early stages of your journey towards recovery – anxiety and stress will make an addict think they need to rely on alcohol and drugs again. Instead, try to lower your blood pressure and relax by listening to music you like |
Healthy Sleep | The decision to be sober is often accompanied by insomnia – you cannot fall asleep or your sleep does not last long. Put on peaceful music as you go to bed and restore your health to feel good both at night and during the upcoming day. Moreover, you should start your morning with music full of energy or soothing vibes, depending on what you need to wake you up and make you feel ready for the day ahead |
Distraction From Intrusive Thoughts | When your mind is racing, you cannot concentrate on work or studies, or you encounter another trigger that makes you want to consume alcohol or do drugs, try to unwind and escape into the world of music – this works particularly well if you like songs with positive affirmations. During counseling sessions, a therapist may guide you and ask you to visualize positive mental images as music is playing |
Creativity Boost | If you have music training, composing your own songs for addiction recovery can take you a long way. It may be challenging for aspiring and professional musicians to deal with addiction since they might focus on drinking and taking drugs instead of creating music so therapy is a great opportunity to get back to the neglected career or hobby |
Connection With Other People | Think about any social gathering you have had – you play music there or you play musical instruments to encourage the crowd. It is such a wonderful way to interact with others, sing together, form a band if there are several willing participants – build and rebuild meaningful social bonds while undergoing music therapy |
Get Science-Backed Addiction Recovery Treatment from Silicon Valley Recovery
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, there is always hope – as long as the person is ready to let others help them get sober and most importantly, stay sober. Our mental health facility employs specialists who have years of experience in addiction treatment – whatever approach we end up applying in your case, you can be sure we will find the most effective way to support you in your sobriety. Here is why you should choose Silicon Valley Recovery:
- Our therapists can guarantee confidentiality – there is a serious stigma surrounding mental health recovery, addiction treatment in particular, so you will be allowed to maintain your privacy while you try to achieve your therapy goals. Furthermore, we will offer customized treatment – we will discover what works for you specifically and implement only what suits you.
- Even if you come to us in order to recover from the consequences of addiction, we will look at your medical history and do our best to address other issues too – whether you are suffering from depression or you became isolated due to substance abuse, counseling can help you resolve these problems as well.
- Encouragement plays a significant role in addiction recovery – we are going to introduce you to other patients with similar addiction issues as well as invite your family members (with your permission) to participate in your healing journey.
Music Therapy and Recovery | FAQs
- Can any kind of music help my recovery?
Music and recovery are closely linked – although calming music is associated with healing and peace, there are no definite limits to what song or musical composition can make you feel better. If loud heavy metal brings you positive memories and happiness, go ahead and listen to it to have fun.
- Where can I find treatment that offers music therapy?
If you are looking for a music rehab, you should reach out to us – at Silicon Valley Recovery we are prepared to work with patients who believe in the healing power of music. Our therapists will show you how to adjust to an alcohol- and drug-free world with the help of music.
- What are the techniques of therapy through music and addiction recovery?
It is up to you (and your counselor) to figure out what methods should be used to help you cope with your addiction. Most patients end up listening to music during the private session or doing relaxation exercises while soothing melodies are playing, and professional musicians and amateur singers can invent their own songs and compositions to increase their creativity and bond with other recovering individuals during group therapy sessions.
- Is listening to music good for brain health?
Yes, research has shown that even a passive mental wellness practice such as engaging with new or familiar music can enhance the cognitive functions of the person. Music is able to activate all brain regions and stimulate connections in your brain – emotional responses that connect music and memory will allow you to retain information better, study with ease, and adapt to changing circumstances without much trouble.
- Can I benefit from music therapy if I am not in addiction recovery?
No matter your current emotional state or mental health diagnosis, every person can improve their mood with music – most individuals have a list of favorite songs or a favorite genre as well as heartwarming memories they link to certain compositions so give music a chance to cheer you up in a dark moment.
