Sound Therapy for Addiction Recovery
A new way to approach self-healing for addiction centres in Africa
The connection between sound therapy and addiction treatment
Innerdance is a trauma-informed sound therapy practice used within addiction and recovery settings. Despite the name, it is not a dance practice; participants lie down with their eyes closed throughout the session. It is a guided sensory experience using sound, music, and gentle, consent-based touch to support deep nervous system regulation.
Addiction and trauma impact the mind, brain, body and nervous system. In early recovery, individuals often experience anxiety, physical discomfort, fear, and disrupted sleep. Innerdance works with the autonomic nervous system to reduce overstimulation in the brain and support a state of deep rest. This process helps the body shift out of survival mode, creating the conditions needed for repair and integration.
For many participants, the ability to feel safe enough to rest, and in some cases sleep — is a significant and often unfamiliar experience. This sense of safety and relaxation is foundational to healing in both addiction and trauma recovery.
The Innerdance process has been developed on the creation of music that brings participants into a wakeful dream state where information is processed on conscious, semi-conscious and unconscious levels. Through exposure to these different frequencies, participants rediscover natural rhythms that give rise to deeper levels of trust, rest, energy and positivity.
In other parts of the world, Innerdance has been used in Prisons, Addiction Clinics, Hospitals and Schools.
Innerdance sound therapy can support improvements in:
- Sleep quality and restfulness
- Concentration and mental clarity
- Appetite regulation
- Feelings of hope and emotional stability
- Self-esteem and self-connection
- Stress and trauma release
- Emotional regulation and reduced reactivity
Case Study: Hangberg Dreams
Hangberg Dreams is an NPO situated in Hout Bay, Cape Town. They provide treatment, support and resources to improve the well-being of individuals, families, schools, workplaces and communities through their various programmes. They specifically support those facing challenges with regards to substance abuse.
Over the course of eight months, Leigh Goodman and co-facilitator Riki Scruton delivered Innerdance sessions to a group of participants. Participant outcomes were tracked using structured surveys to assess changes observed throughout the programme.
These were the results gathered through feedback forms from July to November 2023:
This provides me with skills to overcome negative emotions. Being emotionally stable plays a big part in my recovery.
Innerdance helped me to listen and think what I am about to say.
It helps me in many ways especially with my anxiety. I found it made a difference by first evaluating a situation first and stop overthinking.
It made me realize that there is so much more out there in the world that we have to explore.
After the first Innerdance class I did, I started to paint. You see, I am an artist, but I have always been painting with a glass of wine. The picture in my head has always been art, wine and a cigarette. In the past, I wanted to paint and then I would often not know what to paint; so, I would take a glass of wine and then it would be easier for me to start.
So, what happened to me here, is that I have been sober for a very long time. I have had my acrylics and art supplies with me for several months now. They have been standing in my room (at the clinic).
Then – after the first Innerdance class, I was walking around and wanted to paint but was scared that I don’t know how to paint and scared that I can’t do it as I have never painted sober. I took out my art and I started to collage and then I started to paint. For me it’s a huge achievement as I always thought that I can’t do anything sober.