Last Updated:

July 21st, 2025

Drumming Therapy | Addiction Treatment Therapies

What is drumming therapy?

Drumming therapy uses rhythm and sound to help people reconnect with themselves in a way that feels natural and grounded. It’s not focused on performance or technique but on expression and release.

When someone picks up a drum, they’re invited into a space where they can feel what’s going on inside and let it out through movement and sound. That might mean tension, emotion or just the need to be present for a moment. The steady beat creates something to hold onto, especially as it doesn’t require words or skill to do it.

Over time, this kind of rhythm work can help support emotional regulation and offer a different way to process what’s going on beneath the surface.

group-drumming-therapy

Why is drumming therapy used in addiction recovery?

It might sound unusual at first. How can hitting a drum help someone work through addiction? But if you’ve ever felt some relief from tapping your foot, shaking out your hands or making noise just to release tension, you’ve already brushed up against the essence of drumming therapy.

Addiction isn’t only tied to the substance itself. It often stems from feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or unable to sit with discomfort. Drumming helps bridge that gap by reuniting body and mind in a way that feels instinctive and safe.

Releasing what’s been stuck
Emotions that don’t have an outlet tend to build up in the body. During active addiction, this can become especially intense. Drumming offers a physical way to let some of that out. You don’t need to explain what’s happening; you just play. That in itself can bring things to the surface and give them a way out.
Helping the body feel safe again
The body can become a source of discomfort after addiction. Drumming gives it something steady to return to. It brings rhythm into the room, which creates a sense of control. That consistency helps the nervous system find a new rhythm, too, one that leans toward calm rather than crisis.
Giving space to express emotion without words
Talking doesn’t always come easily in early recovery. Some people are unsure what they’re feeling, just that it’s intense. Drumming steps in where words might fail. It gives you a way to express something without having to name it. You feel it move through you, and that’s enough.
Creating structure and presence
Recovery thrives on steadiness. Drumming offers that through repetition and rhythm. The simple act of keeping a beat draws people back into the moment. It becomes easier to breathe, to notice your surroundings, to feel grounded in time instead of drifting through it.
Building connection in a shared space
There’s something powerful about sitting in a room where everyone adds to the rhythm. Even if you’re playing something simple, you’re part of the whole. That sense of connection can be deeply comforting after periods of isolation or disconnection.

What does a typical drumming session look like in addiction recovery?

We’ve talked about how drumming can help in addiction recovery—how it reconnects the body, offers emotional release and builds a sense of presence. But sometimes, the best way to understand its impact is to picture how a session actually unfolds.

A typical drumming therapy session in recovery might look something like this:

Arrival and settling in
Participants enter a calm space, often seated in a circle. Drums and percussion instruments are already laid out. There’s no pressure to do anything, just an invitation to take a seat and arrive in your own time.
Brief introduction
The facilitator welcomes the group, explains what to expect and reminds everyone that there’s no right or wrong way to take part. This is about feeling, not performing.
Grounding exercise
Before any drumming begins, there’s often a short moment of stillness. This could involve breathing together, stretching out the arms or gently tapping the body to bring attention inward.
Exploring rhythm
The group starts with a simple beat. The facilitator may lead with a pattern, encouraging participants to follow or find their own version of it. As the session builds, layers of rhythm begin to emerge. People might drum with their hands, shake a percussion instrument or simply listen.
Emotional expression
This is the heart of the session. As the rhythm flows, participants are free to let their emotions move through the drum. Some might play loudly, others softly. There’s space for whatever comes up (often anger, sadness, joy or release) without having to speak it aloud.
Wind-down
The tempo gradually slows. The facilitator may guide the group into a shared silence or offer a soft, consistent beat to end on. This helps ease the body out of the intensity and back into stillness.
Reflection
Afterwards, there’s a chance to talk, but only if participants want to. Some might share what came up, and others may prefer to sit quietly. The focus stays on creating a safe and supportive atmosphere where everyone can feel settled and seen.

How does drumming therapy really feel?

 

We can describe the structure of a session, and we can explain how rhythm supports recovery, but we can’t speak for the people who’ve lived it. Drumming therapy is deeply personal, and the real insight comes from those who’ve sat with the drum and felt something shift.

In one study, participants shared what the experience meant for them.

One participant described how a group could begin in chaos, disconnected and scattered, but gradually fall into a shared rhythm that brought a sense of togetherness. He explained how drumming gave people a way to release emotional tension, the kind that can make drugs feel like the only relief. In his words, the beat itself becomes a healthier way to feel good again.

Another person spoke about connection, describing how drumming made people glow when they found harmony with each other. For them, the positives lay in the feelings of acceptance, being part of something and being supported through the rhythms of recovery. Drumming became a space to learn care, respect and trust, all through the simple act of joining in.

woman-in-drumming-therapy

How can I find an addiction recovery programme that offers drumming therapy?

If drumming therapy feels like something that could genuinely support your recovery, it’s worth finding a programme that includes it as part of a broader, more personalised treatment plan. While drumming can help release emotion and build connection, it works best when paired with other types of support that dig into the roots of addiction and help you build something stronger in its place.

A good recovery programme looks at your physical health, your emotional state and your day-to-day coping tools. That might include individual counselling, group sessions, structured routines and creative therapies like drumming. Some people engage through rhythm and sound before they ever feel ready to speak. For them, it becomes a gateway into deeper healing.

Knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already carrying so much. That’s why Addiction Helper is here. We listen first, then help guide you towards rehab centres that offer drumming therapy alongside a full, supportive programme designed for long-term recovery. The call is free, everything is confidential, and we’ll stay with you for as long as you need.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is musical experience required to take part in drumming therapy?
Not at all. Drumming therapy is completely inclusive. You don’t need to be musical or have rhythm to benefit. Sessions are designed to be intuitive and supportive, encouraging free expression rather than performance.
Are there any risks involved in drumming therapy?
Drumming therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, some individuals may find loud rhythms overstimulating, especially in early recovery. Sessions are adapted to individual needs, and participants can engage at their own pace with guidance from trained staff.
Can drumming therapy help with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression?
Yes. Drumming therapy is often used to support individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. Its grounding, repetitive nature helps calm the nervous system and create a sense of emotional safety and self-expression.

(Click here to see works cited)

  • Winkelman M. Complementary therapy for addiction: “drumming out drugs”. Am J Public Health. 2003 Apr;93(4):647-51. doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.4.647. PMID: 12660212; PMCID: PMC1447805.