"It Gave me Goosebumps": A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of the Experiences of Adults With Substance Use Disorders in a...

Although music therapy can have positive impacts on motivation, treatment readiness, and craving for people with substance use disorders (SUD), most of the literature is from the objectivist paradigm and lacks the voices and lived experiences of people with addictions. A nuanced and situated understanding of music therapy that centers the experiences and voices of service users may help improve treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of adults with SUD on a detoxification unit who participated in a single recovery-oriented group blues songwriting session. A board-certified music therapist facilitated 12 group single-session songwriting experiences over 6 months. Participants composed lyrics for a two-verse song identifying agency for and pathways to recovery based upon Snyder's Hope Theory. A research assistant individually interviewed 20 participants about their experiences. We used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze data, and a separate music therapy scholar provided trustworthiness to ensure the results were credible. We identified eight themes and grouped them into three categories to portray the songwriting sequence: Anticipating songwriting (Initial skepticism and doubt); Songwriting processes (An open and connected community, Composing lyrics was therapeutic, The engaging and genuine music therapist); and Songwriting products (Pride in the product, Mood changes and hope, A distinct approach, and Gratitude and recommendation). The findings offer a service user-centric understanding of the lived experience of songwriting germane to adults with SUD on a detoxification unit. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.