“Playing” it Safe: The Effects of Music Training on Substance Use Disorder Vulnerabilities in Children with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that poses significant risk for Substance Use Disorder (SUD). Deficits in inhibitory control and reward regulation are the underlying mechanisms that predispose children with ADHD to developing SUD. Music training (MT), defined as formal instruction in playing an instrument, may help improve inhibitory control and related executive functions. This study examines how and to what extent MT for children with ADHD affects their risk for SUD through a transdisciplinary lens, drawing from literature in developmental psychology, neurobiology, music education, and addiction studies. MT, particularly orchestral training, is found to enhance inhibitory skills. However, MT may not significantly improve delayed gratification. Moreover, there is insufficient evidence on MT’s impact on these two abilities in the target demographic, that is, children with ADHD. While MT may indirectly protect against SUD by strengthening inhibitory control, further research is needed to clearly and directly establish its impact on incident SUD.