23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

ought him images symbolic of birth and renewal, the
compulsivity of his addiction was no longer tugging. It
had lost its power. The sound of a few solo instruments,
the flute and harp, encouraged inner dialogue. It
facilitated a return to quiet, intimate conversation.
Another man responded in this way to the same music.
He said he saw a young man on a street corner, doing a
(drug) deal. He said, "I saw the rocks he had. Then the
music drew me off the street into the Corps de Ballet.
The dance was powerful, and I forgot about the dope
man. I didn't even notice the time."
Even listeners unfamiliar with classical music become
surprisingly attentive to it. In planning the first group
session at St. Jude's I knew that, with the wide diversity
of backgrounds in the population, music preferences
would probably include rap, gospel, soul and jazz, as
well as rock. Still, I chose to use what had been so
effective in the past--classical music. How glad I am that
I made that choice!
622
After spending a brief time getting the group (all male)
focused on their breathing, I planted a verbal seed
image. "See in one of your hands a symbol of your
addiction," I suggested, "however that symbol appears
to you." Then I played the Bach "Concerto for
Harpsichord" mentioned earlier. Let me give you the
same experience and see how you respond. If you have
no addictions, you might imagine a symbol of something
you're holding on to that you'd like to let go. (Experience
music and imagery.)
There were 17 men in the group. When the music
ended, they couldn't wait to share their experiences.
Many raised their hands simultaneously for their turn in
speaking.
A1, a garbage worker from an outlying town, said, "I'm
stunned." He said that his symbol, in his left hand, was
his money. His practice had been to get his pay and
come to Atlanta for his cocaine. "I saw myself with my
money in my hand, coming to Atlanta to find my