Effects of Music and Animal-Assisted Therapy on Opioid Use Disorder

Due to high relapse rates in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), the current traditional treatment modalities for SUD (pharmacological therapy in conjunction with counseling) have proven to have a low success rate. Expansion in alternative therapy methods is necessary to combat the likelihood of relapsing. Among people with opioid use disorder (OUD), ages 18-40 years old, what are the effects of additional music and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), when compared to counseling and pharmacological intervention alone, on overall opioid use over the course of three months? This literature review examines the effect of using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities, specifically AAT and music therapy, in conjunction with traditional OUD treatments on recovery outcomes. A total of 11 peer-reviewed studies published from 2019 to 2025 were synthesized to understand the impact of these CAM modalities on treatment outcomes in those with SUD, specifically OUD. The research was taken from electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, and PsycInfo. The search was limited to studies that specifically focused on opioid use. Results indicated that Music therapy helped reduce cravings and stress while also decreasing withdrawal. AAT significantly improved retention rates and treatment completion for individuals with OUD. Additionally, participants in the AAT groups demonstrated higher levels of emotional well-being and self-efficacy, suggesting the potential for integrating these therapies into traditional OUD treatments to enhance recovery outcomes. By implementing CAM, in conjunction with pharmacological intervention, opioid cravings can be combated. Therefore, recovering from OUD is more achievable.