According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2023, nearly 49 million Americans faced a substance use disorder. When paired with the growing mental health crisis, these circumstances have left a considerable portion of the US population in need of treatment options–and choosing one that will make a lasting impact can make or break a person’s journey to recovery. Understanding the pitfalls of a one-size-fits all approach, many therapeutic programs have begun to take unorthodox approaches and have found remarkable success at broaching addiction recovery and mental health treatment in bold new ways.
For an increasing number of clients in the Southeast, a new treatment option that involves music as a healing tool has been working wonders. Recovery Unplugged is a multi-state treatment center that is redefining recovery by utilizing music as a comprehensive tool for healing. With facilities in Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and a newer location in South Carolina, the organization combines evidence-based care with the power of rhythm, lyricism, and community–offering a fresh perspective on treatment that resonates well beyond the therapy room.
The Beat That Started It All
For over a decade, Recovery Unplugged has integrated active music therapy into its clinical framework. Alongside traditional offerings like counseling and medication management, clients participate in activities such as lyric analysis, open mic nights, and drumming circles. The use of music extends beyond just creating a positive atmosphere or relieving group tensions with familiar tunes—there’s solid science supporting it.
Riley Osborne, a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist at Recovery Unplugged, explains, “Music activates the entire brain, unlike traditional talk therapy, which mainly engages the prefrontal cortex. It reduces cortisol and increases dopamine, both essential for rebuilding the brain’s reward system.” She added, “I’ve witnessed individuals who wouldn’t open up in standard therapy suddenly come alive when they hear the right song.”
A Virtual Program for Busy Schedules
Founded in Nashville, Recovery Unplugged expanded its virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) nationwide during the pandemic in 2021, specifically tailored for busy professionals, parents, and travelers. The program’s online format offers flexible sessions lasting three to six hours, three to five days a week, with options available in the morning or evening. Between sessions, clients may remain connected to work and life via phone and internet—a lifeline for those juggling careers or family.
Hitting the Right Notes in South Carolina
In March 2024, Recovery Unplugged introduced its music-driven model in South Carolina, a state that experienced over 1,600 fentanyl-related deaths in 2022. By offering a hybrid format that includes both in-person and virtual care, the center reaches individuals who are hindered by distance or lack of transportation.
Osborne recalls a client from the South Carolina center who, after 20 years of silence regarding childhood trauma, found their voice through music: “Hearing another client perform a stripped-down version of ‘Hurt’ by Johnny Cash flipped a switch. They wrote their own lyrics about their past and, within a week, performed them for the group. It was the beginning of real healing.”
Moments like this occur every day at the center, demonstrating how the power of a single song can ignite a significant breakthrough for the person who needs to hear it.
Feel Good Fridays: More Than a Jam Session
At several locations, Recovery Unplugged hosts a “Feel Good Friday” concert series to end the week with live music and connection. The series was founded by Richie Supa, a songwriter for Aerosmith and many other rock stars, who has journeyed through recovery for decades and now inspires others to do the same. This season of The Voice, Adam David, a regular performer at Feel Good Friday in Fort Lauderdale, showcased his talents and shared his story with a national audience as he auditioned and was chosen to join Michael Bublé’s team.
Why Music Strikes a Chord
Music therapy isn’t new, but Recovery Unplugged’s comprehensive and layered approach makes it stand out. Clients praise the combination of flexibility, peer support, and creative outlets alongside clinical care.
“We weren’t sure how people here would respond to a music-based model, but the community has welcomed us,” says Osborne. She adds, “When you see someone sing something they’ve kept inside for years, you witness the walls come down. That’s when true recovery begins.”
As Recovery Unplugged expands, its blend of art and science is capturing attention nationwide and demonstrating the possibilities for genuine connection and community that lie on the other side of addiction. For those who find conventional therapy daunting or distant, music serves as a bridge—whether through a drumbeat, a revised lyric, or a Friday night jam session with peers who can truly relate to and support each other.
