At APEX Rehab, we believe in utilizing art as a tool to recovery. Rock to Recovery is an exciting new program that allows clients to express themselves through the art of songwriting.
Available Only in Select Rehab Centers
Founded by Wesley Geer, formerly of Korn and Hed PE, the program allows clients to experience fun in sobriety. Clients get to write songs, sing, and play instruments, all while communicating feelings and working together as a group. Rock to Recovery is an enjoyable experience with many therapeutic benefits, including garnering social and communicative skills, becoming more self-aware, learning different means to express a full range of emotions and finding an enjoyable way to relieve stress. Music can be a natural medicine for the soul and a great part of the recovery process.
Wesley Geer, the founder of the technique, has been through the process of rehabilitation after leaving the band Hed PE. Even though he had always been profoundly passionate about music, it was only when he was in recovery that he fully realized the healing potential of music. He was also a skilled teacher and decided to come up with a technique that could support everyone who was fighting their cravings.
The procedure is as follows. A group of patients forms a band with the task of writing and recording a song about recovery. Everyone can and should participate even if they are not musical. The “band” has the help of the Rock to Recovery’s staff of professional musicians.
The therapy resonates well with recovering patients, especially the young population. One of the many benefits of this technique is that patients learn to have sober fun. When they are recovering, patients are often overwhelmed with issues they need to resolve and they are generally afraid that the life of sobriety is a life of boredom and non-creativity.
It is particularly important to note that the professional musicians who are the staff at Rock to Recovery are also recovering addicts. They share their stories with the participants and discuss the fears and challenges connected with recovery. As successful musicians who have shaken off their addictions, they are role-models for participants and they prove that sober living isn’t the end of creativity and fun.
These are some of the most salient advantages of this therapeutic method:
- Allowing patients to connect with others who are in a similar situation.
- A safe and enjoyable way of expressing negative emotions.
- A natural, positive “high” reached through creativity and togetherness.
- Reducing stress levels.
- Exploring hidden talents.
- Stepping out of one’s comfort zone and learning how to cope.
- Raising self-esteem.
- Exploring the inner self, promoting self-awareness.
These benefits make indirect contributions to the results achieved in other forms of therapy, that focus on replacing negative thoughts with positive, accepting negative emotions and working through them and handling craving. It also reinforces the coping skills taught in therapy and the relaxation skills trained in yoga and meditation.