Observations placeholder
Drumming as a therapy for drugs
Identifier
002226
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Am J Public Health 2003 Apr;93(4):647-51. Complementary therapy for addiction: "drumming out drugs". Winkelman M. Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-2402, USA.
OBJECTIVES: This article examines drumming activities as complementary addiction treatments and discusses their reported effects.
METHODS: I observed drumming circles for substance abuse (as a participant), interviewed counselors and Internet mailing list participants, initiated a pilot program, and reviewed literature on the effects of drumming.
RESULTS: Research reviews indicate that drumming enhances recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Drumming alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others. Drumming provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives.
CONCLUSIONS: Drumming circles have applications as complementary addiction therapy, particularly for repeated relapse and when other counseling modalities have failed.
PMID: 12660212