Music Therapy and Substance Use Recovery
In addition to music therapy for mental health, many music therapists provide services to individuals in recovery from substance use - these speciality are often intertwined! According to the American Music Therapy Association's 2021 Workforce Analysis, 23% of music therapists served individuals seeking mental health services, including individuals in recovery from substance use. Substance use affects people from all backgrounds and experiences, and people receiving services for substance use can be found in a wide range of settings including medical settings, recovery centers, community centers, and private practices. The use of music therapy as a supportive service in these settings can be a beneficial approach for many individuals.
Music therapists may work with clients in group and/or individual settings. Some session interventions might include songwriting, intentional music listening, song discussions, active music making using a variety of instruments, musical games, and music-assisted relaxation. Music therapy goals in substance use settings may include
increasing positive self-talk
reframing negative thoughts
creating and implementing positive coping skills
identifying and fostering positive support systems
strengthening self-concept
increasing mood and motivation
identifying and understanding feelings
utilizing relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
What might a music therapy session look like in a substance use recovery setting?
The first example is of a group session for individuals in a recovery center working on the goal of identifying healthy support systems. The music therapist (MT) brought in the song “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars, providing group members with the song lyrics and inviting them to sing along with the MT while they accompany on the guitar. The MT then engages the group in a discussion about the song lyrics, asking group members to share lines that were standing out to them and why. The group then made two lists: “How We Can Support Others” and “What We Need To Feel Supported.” The group members contributed their own thoughts and ideas to each list, engaging in a group discussion about needing support during the recovery process, and also about how to provide support to each other in the recovery center.
The second example is again a group setting in a recovery center. In this example the music therapy session goal is to increase positive self-talk and the use of positive affirmations. The music therapist positions the group in a circle, providing lyrics to the song “I Love Me” by Demi Lovato. Group members listen to the song with the MT while identifying lines that stick out to them, leading to a group discussion surrounding negative self-talk. The MT then instructs each group member to write their name on the top of a blank sheet of paper. Those papers are passed around the circle for group members to share positive affirmations about each other. When everyone has finished, each group member reads their own paper of affirmations. This leads to a discussion about accepting positive affirmations and reframing negative self-talk to strengthen the self-concept.
What do clients think about their experiences with music therapy?
“I love it. [The Music Therapist] is very creative and involves us in the music. She is amazing when she considers songs we like. In one class she asked us what our positive attributes are and then created a song for each one of us. It was moving and meant a lot to us. She is talented and can sing too.”
“I really like it. [The Music Therapist] is really cool. She plays calming music and always considers what music we like. She is really good at rewriting songs and I love her outside jam sessions when we all get to participate and play drums, tambourines, and other instruments and let us jam out.”
If you’re interested in learning more about music therapy and substance visit AMTA’s Fact Sheet on Music Therapy and Substance Use Treatment or read more from American Addiction Centers. If you or a family member are seeking guidance on treatment for substance abuse, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Contact the Sonatina Center, info@thesonatinacenter.com or 603-978-4808, if you are interested in receiving music therapy services for substance use recovery.