Music therapy can be a powerful tool that most people take for granted or just lack awareness of the power it has to transform people in mind, body and soul. Learn more about how music can be utilized as a therapeutic tool and the growing evidence for its use.
What is Music Therapy
Music therapy is a clinical, evidence-based use of music to accomplish individual goals within a therapeutic relationship. This involves the use of music to help people manage physical, emotional or cognitive challenges. The music therapist is trained to support effective use of music throughout treatment to get the person to realize goals and guided efforts.
Benefits
A number of purported benefits for therapeutic support include the following:
Reduced stress levels
Increased relaxation
Benefits for depression and other mental health concerns
Heart health increases
Improved communication for people with autism
Support for anxiety
Create meditative state for the listener
Listening improves concentration
Promotes optimistic state of mind
Immune system response improves to promote healing
Reduces muscle tension
Reduces loneliness
Helps dealing with symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Relieves boredom
Music Therapy for Addiction
Music therapy can provide great value for individuals struggling with addiction. It can be a useful supplement of great value to people attempting to overcome addiction. The benefits of music therapy for people in recovery from addiction include when people become sober and are likely to experience the rollercoaster of emotions. There are other benefits including:
Relieving boredom as a relapse trigger
Management of stress which can lead to relapse
Meditation with music aids in positive recovery
Improved mental health state
In order for people to receive music therapy benefits, it helps to focus on the positive side effects. A credentialed professional can be helpful for people who seek the therapeutic benefits along with not focusing on the lack of skill but seeking new ways to build skills. An individual may create a playlist of music by adding tracks that are soothing and seeking the right music for relaxation and optimal positive benefit. Learning to play an instrument can help develop new neural pathways in the brain as well which can build confidence and self-esteem as well as a new way to meet others and create space for positive engagement with others who share that passion.
Blueprints encourages the exploration of music and other positive mediums for recovery. If you or a loved one are seeking a space to get clean and sober that also encourages growth opportunities in alternative methods such as music, creative endeavors and more, we are the place to call. Contact us to find out how we can help you on the journey to recovery from addiction.
