Stage Two Recovery for Substance Use Disorders

Jim Borling

Abstract

While addiction, or substance use disorder, can be viewed as a chronic condition, it need not be life threatening. Through careful consideration of recovery processes that are inclusive of social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual issues, the client can regain a fulfilling and meaningful life that involves a well-defined manner of living in sobriety. Music therapy can engage a client on levels beyond just the bio-physical levels of recovery. Addressing psycho-emotional and psycho-spiritual growth through music therapy engagement allows the client to grow along lines that are life-affirming. This attention to stage two recovery allows for the adoption of a value and ethic driven life for those with this disorder; a disorder that is currently identified primarily as a medical disease. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]