Research: Music therapy for people with substance use disorders

This Cochrane review (21 trials, 1984 participants) found moderate-certainty evidence that music therapy added to standard care moderately reduces substance craving (SMD -0.66) and increases motivation for treatment/change (SMD 0.41) in people with substance use disorders. Greater craving reduction was associated with MT lasting longer than a single session. No clear evidence of benefit was found for depression, anxiety, or retention in treatment.