Music Therapy

Music therapy for people with substance use disorders

“Music therapy is “a systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the person to promote health, using music experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change” (Bruscia 1998, p.20). During this process, a trained music therapist engages with the participant in a range of active and receptive approaches to listening to, discussing, creating, improvising and performing music.” 

 “Music therapy may be practised from a variety of theoretical orientations, and in the setting of substance abuse treatment may include elements of cognitive‐behavioural, humanistic, psychodynamic and/or neurobiological theory, among others. Music therapists work with abstinence‐based, controlled use, and in harm reduction contexts (Aldridge 2010; Ghetti 2004), in inpatient treatment centres, community mental health centres, adult day healthcare centres, state and general hospitals, therapeutic communities, and aftercare programmes (Aldridge 2010; Ghetti 2004; Silverman 2009).“