Late post this. Had planned to do it in March, the Music Therapy Awareness Month that celebrates the remarkable benefits of music therapy and the certified music therapists who use it to help people. But I got so caught up in researching the topic that I can certify a month later it bloody well works.
Came across Pune-based Taal while researching the topic. A group with the ultimate goal to unite people under the banner of music that positively influences the areas of health and well-being through music and rhythm. They work to train more therapists who promote the power of rhythm or healing. Check them out on YouTube.
This is nothing new though. Music therapy has down the ages been proven to help reduce anxiety, stress, and perceived pain levels during medical procedures requiring the use of medical devices. It enhances motor function and cognitive abilities in patients with neurological disorders and improves mental health and well-being in patients with psychiatric disorders.
How? Our brains release dopamine and serotonin when we listen to energetic, enjoyable music, which makes us feel happy. On the other side, quiet music encourages peace and relaxation. When employed by experienced and skilled experts, music therapy is an evidence-based, efficient, and safe method of treatment that is used to treat people who require mental healthcare.
A recent study led by University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health found that patients with moderate-to-severe pain, stress, or anxiety reported clinically significant reductions in their symptoms after a single session of music therapy.
Since improvements in pain-related symptoms was not influenced by patients’ demographic or clinical characteristics, music therapy appears to be effective for acute pain management across a variety of inpatient adult populations.
This research builds upon several important music therapy studies funded by the Kulas Foundation – United States’ leading organisation funding scientific research on the benefits of music therapy – which examined the efficacy of such approaches in palliative care, surgery, sickle cell disease, and cancer treatments.
Music Therapy & Addiction-Recovery
Music has been a part of effective addiction therapies for years and uses evidence-based musical interventions to reduce tension, enhance well-being, distract patients from ill-fitting withdrawal symptoms, and open communication.
According to research, nearly 2 million people received music therapy services in 2020 and I was floored to learn that music therapy has been used in Latin America since the 1950s, especially in Argentina and Brazil.
- The United States Code lists music therapy as a disease prevention and health promotion service and as a supportive service
- The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recognise music therapists as qualified individuals who may provide services within accredited facilities
- Music therapy has been found to reduce muscle tension, improve self-image, decrease anxiety, increase verbalisation, increase motivation
- Music therapy has been shown to have a significant effect on a patient’s perceived effectiveness of treatment, self-reports of pain reduction, relaxation, respiration rate, anxiety levels, and patient choice of anaesthesia and amount of analgesic medication
- Music-based activities can represent a valid and without side effects intervention for reducing psychological and behavioural disturbances related to neurological disorders and also for promoting functional recovery.
Here’s how music therapy in addiction treatment works
An alternative addiction help therapy for substance abusers, music intervention, involves a patient’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. In each session, the qualified music therapists help you create, dance, sing, or listen to music as an outlet for self-expression and emotion, ultimately managing complicated feelings and triggers for substance abuse. Music therapy also increases your motivation and engagement in the addiction therapies program using different techniques, such as:
- Drumming
- Improvising songs
- Listening to music
- Creating art with music
- Dancing or moving to music
- Playing instruments
- Learning music-assisted relaxation techniques
- Discussing emotional reactions that music triggers
- Learning to play an instrument
- Writing song lyrics
- Writing choreography
- Singing along to live or pre-recorded songs
Also, the American Music Therapy Association tend to achieve specific outcomes using music therapy, such as:
- Enhanced interpersonal relationships
- Increased verbalisation
- Reduced muscle tension
- Increased motivation
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved perception and differentiation of feelings
- Improved group cohesiveness
- Decreased anxiety and agitation
- Enhanced self-expression and self-awareness
The benefits of using music therapy in addiction recovery include the following:
- Promotes better sleep
- Provides a cure for boredom and restlessness
- It helps alleviate depression and anxiety
- It helps reduce stress and encourages relaxation
- Encourages a meditative state
- It may assist with concentration levels and focus
- Enables foster communication in clients with trauma issues
- Encourages optimism
- It gives the body’s immune system a boost
- Reduces feelings of isolation and low self-esteem by facilitating group sessions
- Relieves muscle tension, including headaches, back pain, and neck pain
Here’s How
Music therapy in addiction doesn’t mean you have to sign up for a music streaming service, listen to music for 45 minutes straight, or put a sign of “Do not Disturb” while doing that. Though there is nothing wrong with that, and you will have a therapeutic experience, music therapy is much more than that. Whether it is substance use disorder, mental disability, or emotional well-being, music benefits all. Here are some of the ways music therapy helps:
Encouraging expression: Most people find it challenging to communicate their feelings to a third person or in group settings. It is because of the feelings of hesitation, self-doubt, and other stigma attached to addiction and mental illness. One of the biggest reasons for hiding the feeling is fear. Hence, music therapy in addiction helps reduce that fear, leading to improved verbal self-expression.
Improving physical and mental health: One of the reasons for the success of addiction therapies like music intervention is its ability to enhance an individual’s physical and psychological health. For example, music therapy reduces stress, fear, and anxiety and improves sleeping patterns, leading to overall well-being.
Encouraging creativity: Usually, people suffering from addiction put all their energies into their addictive behaviours, leaving their hobbies and interests behind. Music therapy is an outlet for creativity that allows patients to distract themselves through singing, dancing, creating art with music, and much more. This practice helps patients develop focus and attention while in treatment and also provides a long-term outlet even after leaving the rehab.
Developing self-confidence: Most people in addiction recovery lack self-confidence, which music therapy can successfully retain. Only by learning and playing musical instruments will the patients will build a high level of self-confidence that can help them face challenging situations and make positive changes in life.
Calming the Nerves: Going through recovery and rehab can be an overwhelming experience with so much to lose and so much to gain, especially in the first few days of a residential program. During this period, an individual may experience intense emotions, including anger, sadness, anxiety, and more. Therefore, music helps create a much-needed calming effect. Once the patients feel calm, relaxed, and composed, they often become more open to other addiction therapies.
Is Music Therapy Right For You?
It’s important to remember that no musical background is required to reap the full benefits of music therapy for addiction. Music has universal healing benefits and is open to patients with varying levels of musical interest. When combined with other treatment mechanisms, like detox and withdrawal management, music-based addiction therapy can awaken the emotional strength and confidence we need to overcome addiction sustain long-term recovery. It helps us access our internal voice and achieve a deep level of catharsis.
Music therapy isn’t the cure for substance use disorder, but it can be combined with other addiction therapies to make the treatment program more comfortable for the patients. Hence, it is essential to note the types of therapy available at an addiction treatment centre. Once you arrive at the facility, the health professionals will assess your condition and tailor a treatment plan that may include music therapy. Also, you don’t have to be a master of playing a musical instrument or have a distinct passion for music. Music therapy in addiction will help you learn the art of self-expression, despite the severity of your condition.
With Inputs From Sounds and Colours, a website, print publication and record label dedicated to the music, culture and creativity of Latin America and the Caribbean
Derek J. Wheeler 