How Can Sound Bath Healing Aid in Addiction Recovery?

Addiction Recovery Publishing Addiction Recovery April 24, 2025

Many people feel that music is a source of healing for the soul. Plato famously said, “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” This is also what underlies sound bath healing. Sound bath healing can be just the right treatment for those struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and/or substance use disorder (SUD). The good news is that sound bath healing is also available at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab.

Better Understanding Addiction

Addiction affects millions of people every day. This is true both in the U.S. and around the world. This can be especially true for people struggling with mental illness and younger people.

According to the peer-reviewed journal Human Genetics, “The high 12 month prevalence rates of substance dependence in U.S. adults (about 12% for alcohol and 2–3% for illicit drugs) approximate those of other mental disorders as well as chronic physical disorders with major public health impact. New findings from the nationally representative samples of U.S. youth reveal that the lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorders is approximately 8% and illicit drug use disorders is 2–3%. The striking increase in prevalence rates from ages 13 to 18 highlights adolescence as the key period of development of substance use disorders.”

It is also critical to understand addiction as a disease. Many people often confuse addiction as some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is simply untrue. Most people in the medical and addiction treatment field agree that addiction has more in common with other types of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than it does with a choice. It is also important to understand that addiction is a “family disease.” This simply means that it affects more than just the individual struggling. Yes, addiction can be like a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path, especially the family unit. This is why addiction recovery is so crucial.

Better Understanding Addiction Recovery

Millions of people do not get the help that they need for their addiction. Sadly, this is because there are not enough effective recovery centers for addiction — and “effective ” is the key word. There is little doubt that there has been a boon in the addiction recovery field in recent years. While this can be good, it also means that there are many more bad actors out there who are simply looking to cash in on people’s misery.

These are often the same recovery centers that only offer overarching “one-note” treatment plans. Such plans rarely treat the individual at the cellular level, which is crucial for long-term success.

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we understand that one-size-fits-all recovery plans rarely work. That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive. These plans start with an intense and involved intake process and don’t end when one leaves our recovery center. We offer an array of aftercare services for the long-term treatment of addiction. However, before one gets the help that they need, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction.

The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction (and co-occurring mental illness) are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
Causing harm to oneself or others
Having suicidal ideations
Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
Isolating away from family and close friends
Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
Exhibiting excessive mood swings
Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
Experiencing trouble at work or school
Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems

Often, people minimize addiction and/or mental illness or even falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It is also important to find the right modalities that work for that particular individual, and they may not just be the most commonly used. For example, sound bath healing can be highly effective.

Understanding Addiction and Co-Occurring Mental Illness

Many people don’t realize just how prevalent addiction and mental illness actually are. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “People with a SUD may also have other mental health disorders, and people with mental health disorders may also struggle with substance use. These other mental health disorders can include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others. Though people might have both a SUD and a mental disorder, that does not mean that one caused the other.”

The numbers are also quite significant. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.” As previously mentioned, many of these people don’t get the help they need. This includes their lack of holistic care like sound bath healing (and other modalities).

The Connection Between Music, Sound, and Recovery

Music has been known to help people recover. Many people have a hard time believing it, but the studies don’t lie. According to The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, “Music therapy as ‘add on’ treatment to standard care likely reduces substance craving and increases motivation for treatment for adults in detoxification and rehabilitation settings. Music therapy lasting longer than a single session is associated with greater reductions in substance craving…. There were no data on adverse events.”

Music has also been shown to give people purpose in their recovery. This is especially people who engage in creating music. Music can also offer hope and inspiration to people in recovery from addiction. This hope can be essential for long-term success in recovery.

Music can also help people build their spirituality because music has long been considered a way to connect to something greater than oneself. Many holistic healing methods have been shown to have this type of positive effect on individuals struggling with addiction.

Understanding Holistic Healing for Addiction Recovery

Holistic healing methods can be highly beneficial for recovery. This can be especially true for treatments like yoga and meditation. According to iconic yogi and spiritual leader B.K.S. Iyengar, “As animals, we walk the earth; as bearers of divine essence, we are among the stars; as human beings, we are caught in the middle, seeking to reconcile the paradox of how to make our way upon earth while striving for something more permanent and more profound.” This is what holistic healing is all about.

Holistic healing offers a myriad of benefits. Of course, these benefits are going to vary depending on many circumstances, but there are many common benefits. The following are just a few of those benefits:

Improved breathing
Better strength and posture
A greater focus on mindfulness
Creates empathy
Acquiring a better sense of self
Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
Helping one to connect with others and heal relationships
Increased positivity and wellness
Connects individuals with new relatable people
Encourages spirituality
Reduces anxiety and depression
Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations

As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These modalities also work very well with other types of treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive treatment plan. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. This includes utilizing sound bath healing.

What Is Sound Bath Healing?

So, what exactly is sound bath healing? Sound bath healing uses sound and vibration to aid in relaxation and mental stimulation. These vibrations are often created using Tibetan singing bowls, crystal implements, and gongs. One may instantly begin to feel a sense of calm when engaging in sound bath healing.

According to the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, “While sound healing is not a new concept, there is a paucity of research in areas such as Tibetan or quartz crystal singing bowls. The majority of singing bowl studies relate to the physics of these musical instruments, including the sonic and wave properties, as well as attempting to model the singing bowl’s acoustic characteristics. In one study, singing bowls were used for emotional healing with high-risk youth as part of what was termed the best self-visualization method.” Further, “The bowls were used in a psychotherapy model in combination with deep breathing, visualization, and a loving kindness meditation.”

Sound bath healing aids in addiction recovery by helping individuals gain a sense of mindfulness and stimulates their sense of spirituality, which many individuals consider to be the cornerstone of recovery. These are individuals who believe that connection to a Higher Power of one’s understanding is essential for long-term success. This is because a Higher Power can give an individual something spiritual to rely upon when times get tough. It can also help to avoid a relapse.

Relapse Prevention: How Can Sound Bath Healing Aid in Addiction Recovery?

Sound bath healing can particularly aid in addiction recovery because it can help an individual from experiencing an all-to-common release. Many people don’t realize just how common relapses can be.

According to the peer-reviewed journal Current Psychiatry Reports, “It has long been known that addictive disorders are chronic and relapsing in nature. Recent estimates from clinical treatment studies suggest that more than two thirds of individuals relapse within weeks to months of initiating treatment.” Also, “For 1-year outcomes across alcohol, nicotine, weight, and illicit drug abuse, studies show that more than 85% of individuals relapse and return to drug use within 1 year of treatment.” Utilizing sound bath healing with other modalities can also be very helpful.

Utilizing Sound Bath Healing With Other Modalities

When it comes to addiction recovery, it is important to use as many types of effective means, methods, and modalities as possible. This includes using modalities from areas of evidence-based therapies and experiential therapies.

There are also other options, such as the previously mentioned holistic treatments and psychedelic therapies. Another highly beneficial type of therapy is nutrition therapy.

The Benefits of Nutrition Therapy

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we have a maxim: “Food is medicine.” This is because we believe nutrition to be an essential part of healing at the cellular level. That is why we have some of the most renowned nutritionists and dietitians working with us. We also have a naturopath doctor who works closely with all of our clients.

It is important to remember that nutrition is as much about what stays out of our body as what goes in. According to The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JPN), “Nutritional Therapy uses food to prevent and reverse diseases that plague most western societies: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, and depression. In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber,” and “Anti-nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.”

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we also believe in the importance of food being delicious and satiating. That is why we have world-class chefs on staff that tailor every meal to the individual’s needs and likings. They also use organic and local ingredients to create amazing and memorable dishes.

The Benefits of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

Another therapy that works well in tandem with sound bath healing is ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). This is because KAP can open up one’s mind to new experiences and treatments like sound bath healing.

KAP can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with co-occurring issues of mental illness and addiction. According to the peer-reviewed journal BJPsych Open, “Approaches to ketamine therapy that involve active therapeutic support, such as KAP, leverage the subjective psychoactive effects of ketamine administration to maximise therapeutic benefit. Indeed, although the role of the acute psychoactive effects of ketamine remains a subject of debate, theory and research suggest that these effects may be important and perhaps even central. For example, a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session using a single psychedelic dose of ketamine produced higher rates of abstinence from heroin users than did a low sub-psychedelic dose.”

The Benefits of Experiential Therapies

There are also many types of experiential therapies that can be highly beneficial for addiction recovery. These experiential therapies include therapies that involve nature like surf therapy and therapies that involve creativity like art therapy.

These therapies can be highly effective, especially in tandem with psychotherapies because psychotherapies work via conversation and experiential therapies work via experiences (hence, the name). Experiential therapy also works well with sound bath healing because the sound of nature has also been shown to have a healing effect.

Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized, with a focus on the future. This includes our treatment plans that utilize sound bath healing.

Recovery is out there and waiting. It’s time to stop struggling and move toward a life beyond your wildest dreams. This can happen with us in Hawaii. The time is now. We can help.

Sound bath healing utilizes sound frequencies and vibrations to create a meditative environment that promotes relaxation and emotional release. This holistic practice can help individuals in recovery connect with their inner selves, reduce anxiety, and facilitate healing by fostering a deep sense of peace and calm. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the benefits of sound bath healing for addiction recovery, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.