Connect With Music in Recovery
- Matthew Koenig
- May 4, 2018
- 3 min read
Music is a powerful thing for most people. It is for me, and I would feel punished without it. It can take us back to memories of past times, be a source of fun, and has been known to be extremely therapeutic.
On the flipside, music events are often known for drinking and using drugs whether it is at a concert or other live event. While music was made to be enjoyed, many people believe enjoyment must be accompanied with drug and alcohol use. When I was in active addiction, I thought drugs and alcohol enhanced my experience at music events. However, what I didn’t realize is that they took me out of the moment and kept me from both remembering everything clearly, as well as appreciating the experience.
For the longest time I used concerts as a reason to party. In my active addiction I went to these kinds of music shows for the drugs and alcohol more than the music. The music was just a means to an end. Since getting sober, it has been quite the opposite. Now, I go out to enjoy music strictly for the music. It is so amazing to feel the power of music from a sober perspective. If you allow music to move you as it was intended to, taking yourself away from the natural high it can give you becomes a turn off.
Once you have connected to music without the booze and drugs, you realize how powerful it can be. It also shows you that live events are great, but using music at home in daily life can be just as amazing. Music is always on in my house. In sobriety, music is known to be highly therapeutic. While it accents the way we feel inside, it also takes us out of ourselves. Music can help create feelings of happiness and relaxation. For this reason, connecting to music is better in sobriety.
Here are 3 ways I like to connect to music.
1. Dance
It's fun way to unwind and have fun. Whether you're at home by yourself doing the "Risky Business" or at a concert with friends, dancing is a great expression of joy and delight. Expressing yourself to music intuitively can be a form of meditation and I find that when I’m able to dance I feel happy.
2. Mood
Connecting to music to shift my mood is another practice I have learned since getting sober. As I mentioned, music can be used as a therapeutic experience. If I’m feeling down or need to feel motivated, I’ll turn music on and allow it to help lift me up. When I sat down to write this blog, I put on my favorite tunes and the words seem to flow endlessly.
3. Lyrics
I believe part of the reason why connecting to music, especially in sobriety, is so moving for many people is because of the lyrics in the songs we gravitate towards. You can connect to a song just by listening to what it says. Often lyrics take the words out of our mouths and help us find expressions we’ve been looking for. Lyrics also help us to know we are not alone in how we are feeling because artists tend to make their music as a form of expressing their feelings, emotions and situations they have been in. Connecting to music using the lyrics to help us feel connected is another great way to experience music in recovery. Music is better in sobriety because you have clarity and the music itself has the power to move you, whether it is your body, your mood or your feelings.
Music in recovery becomes the focal point instead of something going on in the background that you don’t remember if you are drinking or getting high. Music has been vital in my recovery, and at times has been a saving grace for me. I don’t know what I would without it (but likely call my sponsor)!
Safe Haven Recovery is a boutique Florida Treatment Center located in Miami, FL. We specialize in Suboxone Maintenance & Detox, along with, Couples Treatment. Call us today at 866-447-4650.
About the Author
Matthew Koenig is a freelance writer and principal of Last Call Marketing which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, SEO and Social Engagement. Concentrated in addiction recovery, Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.
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