Music Therapy and Addiction Treatment

Specialized Services

Why Music Therapy?…

Music has been used in the treatment setting for a wide range of physical and psychological health issues, including but not limited to chronic pain, migraine, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder but much more.

It’s been gaining more and more ground in the addiction recovery space because of its versatility, effectiveness, and safe practice. Individuals who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction may also suffer from a simultaneous underlying mental health issue, and they will certainly suffer from some kind of withdrawal period as they endeavor to get clean. To make long-term recovery easier and more manageable, Music Therapy can be helpful because of its accessibility.

Therapeutic Benefits

According to studies, therapists and clinicians have discovered multiple healing benefits of music therapy in the addiction treatment process, such as:

• Depression Relief
• Regulation of Heart Rate
• Lowering of Blood Pressure
• Increased Focus and Concentration
• Improved Confidence and Self-Esteem
• Reduction of Inflammation and Pain
• Better Overall Mood and Disposition

Providing an emotional release and creative outlet not offered by traditional talk therapy or many other modalities. Music therapy can be used to help clients identify and process their emotions, explore relationships, and develop healthy coping skills. It can help clients develop new skills and insight into their addiction. Music therapy can also be used to foster positive connections with others and to strengthen recovery support networks.

Music at Last Door

We use music therapy as an outlet to learn how music can be a tool within our recovery. Through recovery music sessions, choirs, and group jams we ask questions like:

• What does music mean to you?
• What feelings do we get from music?
• What music gives you something in your heart?
• How does music help you connect with others?

Journaling and writing is important in addiction treatment. Song writing can be used to express feelings and emotions that may not be easy to express in everyday conversations. Writing songs can help to process and cope with difficult emotions and experiences, allowing the songwriter to gain insight into their own thoughts and feelings. Consequently, writing songs can also be used as a form of self–expression, allowing the artist to explore their own creativity.

Writing songs can allow the person to explore their emotions and experiences related to their addiction and recovery, and provide a productive outlet for those emotions. It can also be used to create a positive and motivational reinforcement for recovery, inspiring the person to keep going on their recovery journey.

We understand that everyone experiences sobriety and addiction differently, and journaling and writing is a great tool of channeling feelings, emotions, thoughts, patterns, and memories for an individual’s self-discovery.

Performing music in front of others, whether it’s their own material or another artist’s can dramatically increase confidence and self-esteem and give patients and outlet for their often-intense feelings and emotions. It also provides a sense of support and community if patients perform regularly.

Artistic self-expression for Gen Z and Millennials

Teenagers and young adults are more receptive to artistic therapies, and art in general, then previous generations. This is true of visual art, music, creative writing and more. This is likely due to the rise of creative outlets in the digital age, from Instagram to YouTube to TikTok, which have made many art forms more accessible and engaging than ever before.

Art is no longer seen as only something to be done by professional artists, but rather something that can be enjoyed by anyone. This has made it easier for young people to express themselves through art and feel more confident in their ability to create. In addition, there are more art therapy programs available to young people, which has made it easier for them to express their feelings and emotions in a safe and constructive way that can help with recovery from addiction.

Next Steps

If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and are battling toxic and overwhelming emotional turmoil on a daily basis, consider music therapy as part of their addiction treatment plan, contact Last Door to learn more.