The care team at Newport Beach Recovery Center uses music in many ways to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. Our clients can experience significant mental health benefits from listening to, writing, and playing music. The self-expression practiced in music therapy can increase self-awareness and build self-confidence.
According to the Journal of Addictions Nursing, in music therapy, “Patients go beyond simply listening to music to engage emotions, motivations, and barriers to recovery through lyrics and melody.†We offer music therapy alongside more traditional psychotherapy.
How Does Music Affect Mental Health?
For thousands of years, healers around the world have used music to treat various mental and physical disorders. Modern research has proven that music can affect the brain in ways that decrease stress, anxiety, and depression. According to Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, “Scientific research has shown that [music] can influence physiological processes that enhance physical and mental wellbeing.†At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we use music to complement traditional therapies.
Alternative holistic treatments like art and music therapy offer clients an opportunity to explore various aspects of social support by interacting with peers and the care team in a creative environment. Music can have the following effect on mental health:
- Improve concentration
- Improve self-esteem
- Decrease insomnia and other sleep disturbances
- Create deeper connections with peers and the care team
- Encourage self-reflection and self-confidence
Music can change how the brain perceives the world, and it can lower stress, deepen breathing, increase muscle relaxation, and help manage body aches and pain. In addition, many people find it easier to focus their thoughts after spending time relaxing while listening to music. Clients can improve their treatment outcomes by breaking up intensive therapy sessions with musical activities.
Why Does Newport Beach Recovery Center Offer Music Therapy?
Music is often a social experience, allowing people to share emotions, thoughts, and abstract ideas. We believe that people are better able to heal from substance use disorder (SUD) when they have positive relationships and social support. Music listeners worldwide can connect and provide inspiration, motivation, and encouragement to one another.
Music therapy can improve social connections by doing the following:
- Increasing verbal and nonverbal communication
- Creating an environment that fosters teamwork and group cooperation
- Lyrics, sheet music, musical instruments, singing, and recording increase self-expression
Music is helpful as a recovery tool regardless of the level of engagement. Listening to music can be just as impactful as creating music for individuals in recovery. We offer music therapy to give clients an opportunity to explore different aspects of the medium.
What Can You Expect During Music Therapy?
Not everyone is familiar with music therapy. We make it easy to start music therapy by tailoring each session to our client’s personal preferences and interests. A few ways they can participate in individual or group music therapy include:
- Writing down lyrics or poetry to express abstract or concrete ideas
- Listening to others play music or making a playlist of meaningful full songs
- Playing a musical instrument and using the sounds to express feelings and ideas
- Learning the technical aspects of music creation and developing marketable skills
- Collaborating with others to create music
Anyone can benefit from the effectiveness of music therapy regardless of their skill level. Music therapy can be used in individual or group therapy to help clients organize their thoughts and express their emotions. Not everyone feels comfortable singing or playing an instrument. However, there are many other ways clients can participate in group therapy.
Is Everyone Required to Attend Music Therapy?
We tailor our therapy sessions at Newport Beach Recovery Center to ensure the best possible outcome. We do not require clients to attend music therapy if it will not benefit their recovery. Some people dislike music for personal reasons. For example, clients may have music-related triggers they want to avoid during early recovery.
We encourage clients to be open and honest with our care team if they feel uncomfortable about the idea of attending any of our therapy sessions. We are always willing to work around personal preferences and accommodate client needs, even if that means using alternative therapies. Our facility offers various options, including art therapy and other experiential therapies that provide similar opportunities for self-expression.
How Can Music Lower the Risk of Relapse?
Music is a therapeutic tool that continues to benefit people in treatment during aftercare and the transition between structured and independent recovery. Music can help clients avoid relapse after they complete rehabilitation by limiting the effects of symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. In addition, many inclusive music communities exist where people can share their interests with others and build healthy social relationships. Music can also be a positive activity they can focus on during challenging moments.
Music is a universal language that has been used for thousands of years to improve mental and physical health. Current research indicates that it can be highly effective in decreasing stress and stabilizing mood when paired with other treatments like psychotherapy and behavior modification. Music therapy is a form of experiential therapy that uses body movement and mindfulness to strengthen the mind-body connection. The care team at Newport Beach Recovery Center uses music therapy to improve outcomes for clients who struggle with anxiety, chronic stress, and depression symptoms. We use songwriting, singing, instruments, and other musical tools to help our clients practice self-expression and improve self-confidence. The care team works with outside experts in the musical field to ensure clients have access to the best possible tools and resources during treatment. To learn more, call Newport Beach Recovery Center today at (855) 316-8740.
