According to the United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.8 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use disorder in 2022 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, 2023). Many music therapists (including some at Central Ohio Music Therapy) work in drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities or work with people in other settings that have struggled with substance use disorders. How might these music therapists be helping those with substance use disorders?
Music can be used for increasing mood, decreasing pain perception, increasing self-confidence, and for a number of other goals, but it also may aid in alleviating psychological symptoms associated with substance use disorders and in decreasing substance cravings. Ghetti et al. (2022) analyzed the effects of music therapy in addition to standard care in comparison to standard care alone. The researchers used 21 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 2000 people in which both the experimental and control groups received standard care (treatment as usual), but the experimental group also received music therapy. The results of these trials indicated that those who received music therapy had a greater reduction in substance cravings compared to those who only received standard care. There was also a higher effect on those who received music therapy for the peoples’ motivation for treatment and their desire to change.
Music therapists working with people with substance use disorders may use a variety of approaches that use music to promote therapeutic change. For example, the music therapist may have the patient(s) listen to music and discuss the patient’s feelings or thoughts brought about by the song or discuss lyrics that may be relatable to the patient. They might also make music with the patient through songwriting, singing, or playing instruments. Overall, the people in this study that participated in music therapy showed more benefit in decreasing cravings and increasing motivation.
Ghetti, C., Chen, X., Brenner, A.K., Hakvoort, L.G., Lien, L., Fachner, J., & Gold, C. (2022). Music therapy for people with substance use disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012576.pub3
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration. (2023, November 13). HHS, SAMHSA release 2022 national survey on drug use and health data. https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-data
Camryn Horning, LPMT, MT-BC