Many people who are recovering from an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs find themselves suffering from anxiety or depression, especially while receiving treatment in rehab. Although certain anti-anxiety medications are remarkably effective at reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, they are also, unfortunately, habit-forming. How, then, to treat clients who are suffering from anxiety and substance abuse? The good news is that music is also effective at alleviating anxiety, according to a recent University of Minnesota study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.The Study The study found that ventilator patients staying in intensive care and suffering from severe conditions such as lung problems and cancer were less likely to suffer from anxiety and need intense sedatives if they listened to music of their choice. The study’s authors assigned 363 patients to one of three groups: those who were offered music therapy twice daily, those who received noise-canceling headphones, and those who received standard care. The result? Patients who opted to listen to music were less anxious and needed fewer sedatives than patients who either had noise-canceling headphones or who received standard care. Why music therapy helps soothe extremely ill patients remains unclear; however, researchers suspect that music provides a “familiar stimulus” that provides distraction. At The Ranch PA, we have always believed that Music Therapy is an effective tool when treating substance abuse. Music Therapy at The Ranch PA The The Ranch PA approach to a life-lasting sobriety is holistic in nature — that means we treat the whole person through a diverse array of therapies designed to address a client’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. We understand that Music Therapy helps many clients release long-suppressed emotions that might not otherwise be released during tradition talk or physical therapies; that is why we have a one-of-a-kind Music Therapy program. The Ranch PA is proud of its state-of-the-art music recording studio and Music Therapy drug rehab. We’ve seen firsthand how Music Therapy helps our clients recover from the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of drug and alcohol addiction. Not only does Music Therapy help us provide a high standard of individualized holistic care for each and every client, it also provides a safe and supportive way to encourage self-expression — without the crutch of drugs and/or alcohol. (Photo via)