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8 Benefits of Music in Sobriety
Music is a part of our time, our culture, and our lives in so many ways. We listen to more of it now than at any point in history. In fact, the average person now listens to around 32 hours of music per week! There are plenty of benefits to music in sobriety.
Music can actually help you on your road to living sober! The best part is, you can start enjoying the benefits of music today. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of music in sobriety.
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The Benefits of Music in Sobriety and Your Recovery
Music is powerful, and it has the ability to transform or enhance your mood, among many other benefits. We take a look at music therapy for addiction treatment.
Lift Off Recovery takes a holistic approach, treating the mind, body, and spirit. We believe in the power of music, and here we take a look at why.
1. Music Benefits Your Brain
Music, as a whole, has massive benefits to brain health. Whether you’re listening to your favorite album or learning an instrument, music has a calming effect, improves your memory, and improves your mood.
Learning an instrument is known to have huge benefits for mental health, so organizations like Guitars For Vets help veterans with PTSD cope through music. The same logic applies to other mental illnesses like substance abuse disorder, depression, or anxiety.
If you’re learning an instrument, there’s a lot to know. Let’s stick with guitar as an example. Each string is 4 or 5 notes off from the next one, adding an extra challenge to learning to read music. Challenging your brain in this way provides an overall benefit to your mind, which helps with mental health issues that might lead to relapse or other complications.
2. Building Healthy Bonds
Music helps you interact with people. It’s one of the few things that can really bring everybody together because while music tastes may vary, almost everybody likes some music.
Whether you join a band, take lessons, or attend musical events, you’ll be introduced to a new culture. While these cultures were previously known for drug abuse, that isn’t the case as much anymore. There are thousands of local music scenes with sober events and people. Aim for community music events in the center of town, at your local coffee shop, or take professional lessons with a teacher!
Community outreach, building bonds, and meeting new people are important for living your best sober life!
3. Healthy Hobbies
Everybody on the road to recovery should have a hobby that keeps their mind challenged and occupied. Remember, you don’t have to learn an instrument or sing to enjoy music as a hobby. Music is simply a treat to us, and it can even be addictive in its own way.
Take yourself on a journey when you find music that you like. Sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy. If you’re into poetry or lyrical interpretations, this is an entirely new world to explore.
Listen to concept albums and soundtracks from the musical theatre if you’re into the story-telling aspect of music. Concept albums work together to tell one story or portray one concept, like “The Wall” from Pink Floyd or “The Black Parade” from My Chemical Romance.
If you enjoy this side of music, try writing poetry for yourself! Or even writing songs if you think you can swing it! If story-telling is your thing, you’ll have plenty to work with just from your road to recovery, let alone all of your other life experiences!
4. Motivation
If part of your recovery includes a regular exercise routine (which it absolutely should), music is an excellent way to stay motivated. If you really like trying out new bands or new albums, put a new one on and listen to it the whole way through when you’re at the gym or on the run.
It doesn’t have to be for exercise. If you have any hobby that you want to stay motivated for, listening to music is a great way to get more motivation and enjoyment out of it.
Music can even make daunting tasks enjoyable. What’s your least favorite chore? Let’s say it’s doing the dishes. In that case, leave a speaker or a smart device next to the sink and enjoy some music while you do it.
5. Nostalgia
You don’t want to do anything that will remind you of the bad times in your life, but music can serve as a great reminder of the good times in your life. The best part is that it’s never too late to start creating those memories.
When was your favorite period of your life? Did you have one great summer that you’ll never forget? Well, listen to the music you were into at that time to bring back some of those great feelings and make you long to create more of them.
Start today. Make an effort to make this next season the best of your life, and take the time to listen to some of your favorite music to remind yourself of these days later on!
6. Creating Music
Creating music can be a very expressive and rewarding activity, especially for those in recovery. The therapy causes emotions to come up that may be hard for people going through the recovery process to express.
Making music is a great way for people to express their raw emotions, giving them a healthy way to channel their thoughts and feelings. Creating music in itself is a therapeutic process.
7. Expression
Music can be used as a tool of expression. Listening, playing for others, or creating. Expressing yourself is extremely beneficial in recovery.
Allowing yourself to utilize music to show others how you truly feel if you can’t find the words to express yourself is super beneficial.
8. You Never Run Out
You know that feeling when you first hear a song that blows your mind? Well, we’re fortunate enough to live in a time where there’s more than enough great music to keep exploring and finding those wonderful songs for the rest of our lives.
More and more music will be coming out throughout the rest of your life, too. More and more bands and artists are popping up in the mainstream, the underground, and in local communities all the time. You’ll never run out of enjoyment.
Should You Use Music In Sobriety
While it may not be the only tool you need, you should absolutely enjoy music in sobriety if it’s what you like. Music is a great tool to help us relax, boost our brains, and enjoy the simple things in life. Do what makes you happy, keep up to date with our latest news for sober living, and find out how art therapy can benefit you in sobriety!
Contact Lift Off Recovery for Addiction Treatment in Anaheim Today!
We hope this article helped you see the benefits that music offers to those in recovery and looking for alternative ways to help them heal from their addictions.
If you or someone you know needs help, Lift Off Recovery is always here for you. Please, feel free to contact us today with any questions you may have.
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Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I wanted to start off by explaining that I work in recovery and been an around recovery for the last eight years of my life. I have been in and out of inpatient treatment centers three separate times. Even got sober using A.A. one of the other times. It’s become my life's passion to care for people struggling with this disease. I honestly thought I had it licked. That should have been the initial sign. I didn’t. I fell off this last November In a downward spiral that lasted seven days and two near — death emergency visits later. The first place that came to mind was Lift Off Recovery. A gentleman named Pastor Phil AKA Chief who works with their program last messaged me “I love you brother.” something I desperately needed in my time of near-death experience. Nevertheless, to say I was on an airplane the following day on my way to detox at Lift Off Recovery. From the moment I showed up, they greeted me like a family member with love, compassion, empathy, and support and top-notch doctors, therapists, and medications prescribed to glide me down from the insanity the drug use caused me. While detoxing my prayers were answered, they fed me three large home-cooked meals daily along with any of my other wants/needs ice cream and candy 😂. The house I was staying in was a beautiful, serene environment. Exactly what I called for to reengage with my spiritually. The team each one of them had their own unique top-notch qualities that were thoroughly vetted by a seasoned management leadership team and owner. After my detox, they gave me more privileges to do more programming and dig deeper into my lack of knowledge of my character defects through group participation at the outpatient facility. Things I didn’t truly examine the last time I got sober while in A.A. Did I forget to mention the countless trips to the ocean that helped me cleanse my soul? I could go on for days about how great this program is, and the team involved in my recovery. If you’re in desperate need like I was, I put my life on it, you will not find a better program than Lift Off Recovery and if you’re in doubt, please feel free to try another company like I did. But I promise you, coming from someone who truly cares for you and your shared struggles with this disease, this is the finest program on the map. That’s coming from someone who made their life purpose about this struggle. Thank you, Life Off Recovery, for giving me another chance at a better way of life and lifting me off to be the finest person I can be for my family and the people I come across moving forward in my career in recovery. Much love and respect, Rex! Mark RexfordMarch 26, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank u liftoff for what u have done for me and thanks to all the staff at liftoff.So anybody out there that is seeking help get it today before it’s to late and let me tell ya this is the place to go and be they treat u like family there very helpfull with getting your mind back rite and helping to see life the way us addict have to live but I’m coming up on 18 months of recovery and I owe it all to them they r my family today u couldn’t ask for better people so thanks once again liftoff recovery for helping me and treating me and caring for me Robert AhoMarch 20, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Liftoff Recovery flew me out to Cali in November of 2023 to go through treatment. I had no idea at the time how much this place, the people, and the whole community would actually change my life. I've never felt so loved and accepted for who I am until I met these people. Not only will you learn so much about yourself and how to live a life without drugs or alcohol... But they'll be with you every step of the way. I used to feel so lost, unloved, and just plain broken. They showed me love even when I didn't love myself!! Just like I honestly didn't know how to even live a life being a sober adult. But they taught me. I have been set free from the chains that used to hold me down. I'm forever grateful to each and every person I've met through Liftoff, Magic House and Set Free!! If you're taking the time to read this... Then give them a chance! It'll be life changing!! Heather MangrumMarch 18, 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This place is truly amazing. I have had such a beautiful learning experience. I wanna give a special thanks to every single staff member. Everyone of you have touched my heart and help me grow. Special thank you to Chief, Sunday, for leading the way and helping me through some of the hardest obstacles I have overcome. Some I’m still working on and will continue. These people have impacted my life in so many way. I will forever be grateful. You saved me lift off ❤️ Laura NordbyJuly 2, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible care and support I received at LiftOff . From the moment I walked through the doors, I felt welcomed and understood. The staff are some of the most loving, compassionate, and knowledgeable people I have ever met. I did my entire journey with them from Detox all the way down to IOP . I can proudly say Lift off showed me a better life and I cannot thank them enough! I would highly recommend Lift off to anybody struggling with substance abuse. Makayla FedorJune 20, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is family, I always thought it was drugs and alcohol.the street life, prison.treament after treatment all I got was the same results NOTHING!!! God lead me here by a good friend "thanks Lisa"I am forever grateful to you 🙏.at liftoff I've learned about me inside my defects of character that lead me to make the same choices "thanks Migs". Pastor Anthony showed me how to love me threw the eyes of Jesus thank you.theres so many more who love me for me thank you family.all I knew was drugs street prison.now I can lift my life off the ground and "Learn How To Live" thank you "Chief" with out you magic house, church house, liftoff and set free Anaheim wouldn't exist. Thank you God for this gift of a New Life Eduardo TorresApril 6, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thus place saved my life! Not like any other place or experience I've been through. They really care about each individual and take the time to get to you know personally and help you thrive! Everyone I have met throughout the whole process showed nothing but love, care, understanding, and respect. Not just some textbook rehab! I'm grateful, thankful, and appreciate for this place and all the knowledge and love I've found through liftoff and everyone involved! 10 out of 10 recommend! Melissa EldredMarch 1, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great place for support and guidance. Shout out to my peers Jackson and rob with great facilitators Anthony, Phil "Chief",migs,and risky. Brandon great help with my meds and susan is the best counselor anyone could ask for. Chris WillisDecember 12, 2023Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lift Off Recovery has helped me to gain a sense of direction and has given me the tools to recover from a hopeless state of mind and body. The therapist and counselor helped me to uncover things about myself that I have been denying and drinking over for years. I walked out of there with a positive outlook on life and purpose after 30 years of addiction. I left the program with 5 months of sobriety and recovery. The biggest thank you to the staff management, therapist, counselor, and the entire Lift Off team for giving me my life back, I now have future full of happiness. I am eternally grateful. #GTA… And a special thanks to Chief. Charles HouseNovember 2, 2023Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I love the family and everything that they continue to do for Anaheim community ❤️ nohealani caspersonOctober 10, 2023