Drumming Therapy

Addiction can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, taking a toll on your body, mind and spirit. That is why Oasis Runcorn offers therapies that go beyond the traditional approaches, helping you heal in creative and unexpected ways. Drumming therapy is one of these powerful (and fun!) methods. By using drums and percussion instruments, drum therapy helps you express your emotions, release pent-up stress and lift your spirits – all while creating rhythms that bring you into the present moment and provide a welcome break from more intense rehab treatment sessions.

What is drumming therapy?

Drumming therapy is a unique form of music therapy that is all about tapping into the power of rhythm to help you heal. During drum therapy, you use drums and other percussion instruments to express emotions that might be hard to put into words.

The act of drumming can be incredibly grounding, helping you feel more connected to yourself and your surroundings. It is also a great way to release stress and tension and can be a lot of fun! Whether you are beating out a steady rhythm or just letting loose, drumming therapy can help you find balance and feel more in control during your recovery.

What forms does drumming therapy come in?

Drumming therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. It can be tailored to fit your needs and delivered both on a solo or ensemble basis. Here’s how it works:

Individual drumming therapy

In individual drumming therapy, it’s just you and your therapist, using drumming as a way to dig deep into your feelings. This can provide powerful insights because it’s all about you – your pace, your emotions, your healing journey. You get to explore what’s going on inside without any pressure, using rhythm to express what words sometimes can’t.

Group drumming therapy

Group drumming therapy is a great way to connect with other people in recovery. It helps build trust, encourages communication and creates a sense of community. Plus, it’s just plain fun! The energy in the room when everyone’s drumming together can be really uplifting and can help you feel less alone in what you’re going through.

No drums required

You don’t even need drums to benefit from drumming therapy. Other percussion instruments like shakers or rattles are sometimes used, or you can create rhythm with just your hands or feet. The point is to get into the groove and let the rhythm help you release tension and connect with yourself on a deeper level.

What are the benefits of drumming therapy?

Drumming therapy offers a range of benefits that are especially important during addiction treatment. They help make the recovery process more manageable and give you the tools you need to stay sober in the long run. Some of the benefits include:

• Relief from stress and anxiety
• A healthy way to release tension
• Potential pain relief through the release of endorphins
• Trauma resolution
• Reduced impulsiveness
• Potential immunity boost
• Social skill development
• Increased confidence and new self-esteem

Why is drumming therapy for addiction so powerful?

Drumming therapy is a powerful tool in addiction recovery, offering a way to connect, release and rebuild. Whether you are in treatment for substance abuse or behavioural therapy, it can sometimes feel hard to build relationships with others or even with yourself. But drumming therapy can help you find your rhythm and break down barriers.

Group drumming therapy is especially impactful. It is a chance to let off steam in a creative and positive way, turning all that pent-up energy into something productive. As you get into the groove, you will be able to connect with the beat and the people around you.

One of the biggest benefits of drumming therapy is how it helps you overcome doubts. Drumming isn’t always easy, and you have to stick with it, even when it’s tough. This mirrors the challenges of addiction recovery, but as you keep at it, you start to build confidence and a newfound belief in yourself. Suddenly, those thoughts like “I can’t do this” start to fade, replaced by the realisation that, yes, you absolutely can.

Opening up about addiction can be scary, especially among people that you don’t know. Like other holistic therapies, drumming therapy gives you a chance to express yourself without words, and this can be a powerful way to release what’s been weighing you down. As Hans Christian Andersen wrote:

“Where words fail, music speaks.”

How does drum therapy work alongside other addiction treatments?

Drum therapy isn’t just a standalone activity –  it is a powerful complement to the other therapies you will go through in your recovery journey. At Oasis Runcorn, we integrate drum therapy into a broader treatment plan that includes individual and group counselling, behavioural therapies and other holistic practices like yoga and meditation.

After a drum therapy session, you might find it easier to open up about what you’re feeling with your personal therapist and the other people in group sessions. Drumming as a group helps break down barriers, creating a sense of unity and trust among participants and can give you a sense of well-being that makes talking about difficult or shameful memories easier.

Behavioural therapies focus on changing negative thought patterns and drum therapy can help reinforce those changes. When you are drumming, you are in the moment, focused and engaged – qualities that therapies like CBT and DBT encourage. The discipline and rhythm of drumming can help you practise the mindfulness and focus that CBT teaches, making it easier to apply those skills in your daily life.

Drum therapy also pairs well with holistic treatments like yoga and meditation. All these practices are about finding balance and grounding yourself, and drumming adds a dynamic, physical element to that process. After a drumming session, you feel more relaxed and centred, making it easier to engage in mindfulness and meditation practices.

How can drumming therapy help after rehab?

Transitioning back to everyday life after rehab can be tough. At Oasis Runcorn, you are in a safe, structured environment, but once you’re out in the world, you might face triggers and temptations that can challenge your sobriety.

That’s where drumming therapy comes in. The confidence and skills you build during your sessions don’t just disappear when you leave; they become part of your toolkit for staying strong in recovery. Whether you’re feeling stressed, dealing with cravings or need a way to reconnect with yourself, drumming can be your go-to strategy.

Just a few minutes of drumming can help you refocus, release tension and stay connected to the positive path you’ve worked so hard to create.

Experience the power of drumming therapy at Oasis Runcorn

Ready to take your recovery journey to the next level? Drumming therapy at Oasis Runcorn offers a unique way to express yourself, break down emotional barriers and find your rhythm in life again. Contact us today to discover how drumming therapy can be the key to unlocking your full potential in recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions