Music Therapy as a Collaborative Tool in the Recovery of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patients

Abstract

Music is considered worldwide as both a verbal and non-verbal tool because it influences an individual’s emotions, positively impacting their mood, individuality, and self-confidence, among other aspects. In the context of pharmacological treatments for substance dependence, the practices of Music Therapy are included and are considered a valuable tool to assist in the recovery of these patients. Music provides emotional and mental support during the detoxification and withdrawal processes experienced by individuals who develop substance-induced disorders. It is a complementary therapy that helps the patient express themselves, contributing to improvements in the sensory and motor experiences of the participants. In other words, it allows the individual’s subjectivity to re-emerge, enabling them to reconnect with themselves and with society. The literature demonstrates that drug addiction is a millennia-old phenomenon that affected approximately 11.2 million people around the world in 2020. Additionally, there has been an increase in consumption among young people, with rates growing by 26% compared to those recorded in 2012. This review article, prepared using the bibliographic research technique, aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Music Therapy in the treatment and support of patients with substance use disorders. Based on the literature selected from electronic sources, it was found that Music Therapy, as an additional treatment alongside pharmacological approaches, significantly contributes to the recovery of individuals with substance-induced disorders.