Utilizing Therapeutic Sounds in the Journey to Addiction Recovery

Recent research underscores the transformative power of music, revealing its capacity to shape personal and cultural identities while serving as a mood regulator. A 2022 review of music therapy highlights its efficacy in addressing serious mental and substance use disorders.

In Roanoke, a dedicated music therapist specializing in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music is offering individuals in addiction recovery an opportunity to regain a sense of wholeness.

Transcript of Video: Jim Borling: How is recovery going for you?

Keyris Manzanares: Linda MacDermott and her music therapist, Jim Borling, have shared a therapeutic relationship for two decades. Their sessions commence with setting intentions, a ritual that has guided their journey.

Linda MacDermott: In my first session, I expressed that I felt like I had a hole in my soul. Growing up amidst various forms of abuse, I turned to substances like alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine to numb the pain. But that was my coping mechanism.

Keyris Manzanares: MacDermott, once skeptical about the healing power of music, discovered a profound change through her sessions with Borling.

Jim Borling: I’ve always been fascinated by music since childhood. Even as a child, I felt the expansiveness of music, though I lacked the vocabulary to describe it. The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, developed by Helen Bonny, combines non-ordinary states of consciousness, deep relaxation, expanded awareness, intentional music, and interaction between guide and client.

Keyris Manzanares: With nearly four decades of experience, Borling holds contracts with local recovery facilities in Roanoke. He focuses on addressing the emotional and spiritual aspects of addiction recovery.

Jim Borling: We delve into profound layers of healing, touching on elements that are specific to the human experience and may extend to what we term transpersonal—a connection with something greater than ourselves. People battling addiction are often seeking that connection.

Linda MacDermott: The music, at times intense with loud drums, resonates throughout your body. I recall a session that felt like five minutes but went over an hour. It’s incredible. If you’re open to it and can relax, the impact lingers. Over the next few weeks, you feel the shifts. For me, it saved my life emotionally, providing a safe place to start accepting and meeting who Linda was. I didn’t know who Linda was.