PLAYING FOR KEEPS –
Jan. 7, 2026 – “I’ve dealt with addiction, and music gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to wake up in the morning.” This inspiring quote comes from the WeAreTheMusicMakers Reddit page, a sub-Reddit for music producers, in response to the question, “Has anyone here successfully used the practice of making music to overcome an active addiction?” Addiction is a terrible experience, one that affects you not only physically but mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Thankfully, music has been proven to be effective in many different ways, from easing cravings and regaining a sense of self-worth, to helping form new social bonds outside of old groups that may encourage dangerous habits.
Listening to and creating music has a wealth of scientifically proven health benefits, so it’s no surprise that addiction recovery should be one of them. According to Northpoint Nebraska, a private institution offering programs to help people recover from substance use and behavioural health disorders, addiction recovery often requires a combination of therapeutic approaches.
