Music surrounds everyone. Sometimes it’s the star player in a musician’s life, providing a powerful creative outlet leading to works of art, other times, it simply provides a welcome soundtrack to listen to and relate to. Regardless of how music influences you, there is no denying the powerful emotions it can release. Music therapy is becoming a helpful tool for therapists helping people with mental health and substance abuse problems. Music therapy provides a safe, creative outlet to express emotions when used in symphony with traditional therapy programs.
If you are struggling with a substance abuse problem and are ready to start your journey to recovery, consider trying one of Northpoint Recovery’s music therapy programs. Contact us today at 888.296.8976 to get started.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music by a trained therapist to help individuals reach the goals they have outlined. This type of therapy usually involves interacting with music in various ways, including listening, singing, performing, or dancing. Additionally, many programs have patients write or discuss song lyrics to help them understand their pain and struggles. Music is used in a controlled way to help patients explore and overcome their emotions. A trained music therapist knows how to use music to treat each patient. The unique nature of music therapy pairs perfectly with the traditional therapy programs many people with substance abuse disorders go through.
General Benefits of Music Therapy
There are a lot of benefits to music therapy. After developing a personalized therapy plan for their patients, trained music therapists will then hold individual and group sessions to explore the world of music. Music therapy treats a wide variety of ailments, including:
- Stress reduction
- Treatment of hypertension
- Reduction of depression symptoms
- Management of autism symptoms
- Helping memory for people with Alzheimer’s Disease
- Easing pain during childbirth
- Pain management for chronic pain sufferers
- Addiction treatment programs
Benefits of Music Therapy in the Treatment of Addiction
In recent years, there have been several studies that have focused on evaluating the use of music in treating or managing addiction. The most common techniques used by music therapists to treat addiction are music creation and music listening reflection.
Music Creation and Addiction
Music creation therapy involves helping a person cope with their addiction by creating music. Creating music includes various methods like singing, lyric writing, and even instrumental performance. The music therapist will often encourage the patient to create melodies, harmonies, and even lyrics that help them explain how addiction makes them feel or how they want to feel without addiction. Explaining painful emotions through music is often easier for people who find it difficult without it.
Music Listening, Reflection, and Addiction
Music listening and reflection involves listening to music and identifying the emotions that arise. Music therapists use this method to help patients determine what behaviors they participate in that make them have urges to abuse substances. Identifying these behaviors and feelings will help patients avoid things that cause them to feel those urges. This type of treatment also creates powerful dynamic connections in a group setting.
Is Music Therapy Treatment Right for You?
Music therapy is a proven effective treatment for many people overcoming addiction. However, this type of treatment may not be effective for everyone. If you think that music therapy might be helpful for you or someone you love, there are some things you should consider:
- Professional music therapists personalize music therapy plans.
- Engaging in music therapy doesn’t require experience in music.
- There are no age restrictions for this type of treatment.
- Your music therapist may recommend that you keep a journal to track your feelings throughout your treatment.
Music Therapy for Addiction Treatment at Northpoint Recovery
Addiction is a challenging health condition and often causes feelings of doubt or insecurity. Finding the right combination of treatment methods often feels like a burden. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, music therapy may be a healthy option. Our music therapy programs combine the effective traditional therapies proven to treat substance abuse problems and groundbreaking creative outlets to help you on your path to sobriety.
Learn more about getting started in one of our music therapy programs today by contacting us at 888.296.8976.