CINCINNATI, Ohio —Various forms of music therapy have been around for hundreds of years.
- Evidence suggests music therapy is an effective form of treatment for adults and children
- Music therapy is handled by a licensed individual who can identify conditions of a person and recommend the best course of treatment
- The Center for Addiction Treatment in Cincinnati used it to help a 51-year-old musician who hit rock bottom
But in the last several decades it's gained popularity to help treat various conditions and illnesses in both children and adults.
From listening to music to playing instruments, evidence suggest music therapy is an effective form of treatment, according to the American Psychological Association.
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is when music is used within a therapeutic session to identify physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of people.
Music therapy is handled by a licensed individual who can identify conditions of a person and recommend the best course of treatment.
At the Center for Addiction Treatment in Cincinnati, Don Gauck has been using percussion instruments to help people.
“I always remind them they don't have to be a musician to do this,” Gauck said. “We're just going to have some fun. We talk about rhythm and lyrics.”
Gauck's therapy sessions can include dozens of patients at a time.
“[It helps]... to relieve stress because our clients come in here, they're very stressed out most of them. They have a lot of issues going on. So, this reduces stress quite a bit. Anger management it works. And also, the big thing, it's reduces pain.”
Gauck was retired, but got back into the profession at the onset of the heroin epidemic in southwest Ohio and now the opioid crisis.
“I want to see what we can do if we can help folks.”
One of the people he helped is 51-year-old Sean McGary, a musician.
“I'm an alcoholic,” McGary said from the courtyard at CAT. “I drank my whole life starting in grade school, probably. Drinking beers in junior high and smoking pot.”
McGary said around 15 years ago he hit rock bottom. He lost his job, blacked out, and spent seven days in jail going through detox. McGary used other treatments which partially helped. But after his mother called Gauck the two had a conversation.
“Don looked at me and said drinking is not an option for you anymore. And it was like this light went off in my head and I was like, 'wow, it's that simple.'”
McGary tried out music therapy.
“I did participate in the drum circle and music thing. And, you know, and then got heavily back into music and that really got me, helped me stay sober when I immersed back into what I love to do.”
McGary now plays in a band, 3 Piece Revival. And he is the owner (and teacher) at The Music Salon in Madeira.
“Music really does save people, you know it does, you hear it all the time. And not just from addiction and alcohol and drugs, but from lots of things. From depression, from anxiety, through breakups relationship problems. Music is really something that can save the soul.”
If you or someone you know needs help call (877) 275-6364 to talk with someone from Mental Health and Addiction Services in Ohio.