Proceedings, Oxford, UK (2002) - World Federation of Music Therapy

The sirens, actually, sang "dangerous music". Many addicts talk about
"using" music interchangeably with drugs, listening obsessively to music
during periods of abstinence. Here, the symbolism of the sirens' music
receives a duel meaning - not just the deceitful promise of the drugs, but,
also, the powerful attraction of drug related music.
My clients are chronic substance abusers, undergoing a yearlong,
inpatient treatment program in the Ramot-Yehuda – Zoharim therapeutic
community, in Israel. Men and women, aged 19-50, with a history of
drug abuse lasting anywhere from 2 to 30 years. The majority have lived
a life of crime and spent time in prison, usually as a result of drug abuse,
selling drugs, thefts, violence and prostitution. Many come from multi-
problem families, with a history of various addictions, life in crime-
ridden neighborhoods and easily accessible drugs.
Therapeutic Community
The basic ideology of the therapeutic community is one of all inclusive,
drug free, therapeutic care for the addict, as an individual and as a
member of society, and is based on the assumption that drug dependency
is a mix of educational, psychosocial, medical, emotional, spiritual and
psychological factors, all of which must be addressed by treatment. It
incorporates both psychodynamic and behavior-modification methods, in
an effort to relate to the complexity of the issues of addiction.
Addiction can be looked upon as a psychological or medical pathology,
but it is also a cultural phenomenon and – a culture in itself. The aim of
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