Music Therapy and Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction are significant concerns among a wide range of client populations. Current literature on the subject tends to look at the phenomenon from a positive rather than a negative perspective—what the addict is attempting to accomplish through substance use rather than what he or she is trying to avoid. The attempt inevitably breaks down and therein lies the clinical dilemma. What the addict needs are alternative experiences to step outside of habitual, non-productive, and painful emotional patterns. By integrating current theories of addiction, psychotherapeutic perspectives, and the thoughts of contemporary music therapists, this paper explores ways in which this complex problem may be viewed and addressed from a music therapy perspective. Clinical case examples are discussed to illustrate the different ways in which music can facilitate a therapeutic process.