EPISODE 26: How Music Soothes the Soul, with Sonny Mayo of Rock to Recovery

Did you know music can be beneficial for finding healing and freedom from your addiction? Our guest this week helps people unlock their creativity and freely express how they feel emotionally through the gift of music. 

This week, we are talking with Sonny Mayo, Rock To Recovery Brand Ambassador, Board Member, Program Administrator, and Recovery Coach. Sonny is a music interventionist with Rock to Recovery, an active member of AA, and a Breathwork Healer.

Sonny Mayo started his professional music career in 1995 with the band Snot (Geffen Records) and, in 1998, went on to play in the band Amen (Virgin, Roadrunner Records). Having been in rehab as a teenager, Sonny continued to struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction while touring the world and writing/recording albums.  On occasion he was issued ultimatums from his fellow bandmates, which would bring brief periods of abstinence, but would inevitably lead to another relapse. Spiraling ever downward, Sonny hit bottom in late 2001.

Desperate for sobriety, Sonny sought and received the help he needed in 12 Step fellowships. In January 2002, with less than 30 days sober, he went on his first clean/sober tour in Australia, where Sonny attended 12 Step meetings and began laying the foundation for a whole new experience as a professional musician, and has maintained sobriety ever since.

In late 2002 he joined his friend, Wes Geer, as a touring guitarist in the band (hed)P.E. and, in 2005, joined the band Sevendust (TVT, Warner/Asylum Records). In 2009, Sonny attended the Recording Institute Of Technology at Musicians Institute in Hollywood and received a certification in audio engineering. He is a touring guitarist with the band Ugly Kid Joe, a guitar teacher, as well as a music producer, songwriter, and mixer.

In this episode, Sonny shares how he often felt an intense longing and sadness in early childhood and how he self-medicated with drugs and alcohol to numb the pain at a young age. We discuss why the “fake it til’ you make it” mantra lacks clarity for those in recovery and what it means to find true freedom and healing.

Topics Discussed

The power of meditation, yoga, and breath work  How music helps soothe the soul (and helps with addiction recovery)  The many benefits of the original 12-Step Program  How traumatic experiences impact the way we view the world Why inner-healing and self-love is an important step towards recovery

Connect with Sonny Mayo

 

Instagram (Personal) - https://www.instagram.com/sonny_mayo/  Instagram (Business) - https://www.instagram.com/rocktorecovery/ 

 

Additional Resources

Rock to Recovery - https://rocktorecovery.org  Rock to Recovery Companions -  https://r2rcompanions.com 

Connect with Positive Recovery MD Podcast

Website: https://www.positiverecoverymd.com  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/577870242872032  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcDF1gjlYch4V4iBbCgZg

Connect with Positive Recovery Centers online

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positiverecoverycenters/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PositiveRecoveryCenters/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positiverecoverycenters/

Contact Positive Recovery Centers

If you or someone you know needs help, visit the website or call the number below to schedule an assessment. We are here to help.

Call: 877-476-2743 Address: 902 West Alabama Street Houston, Texas 77006 Website: https://positiverecovery.com  Services: https://positiverecovery.com/services/  FAQ: https://positiverecovery.com/faq/ 

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About Positive Recovery MD Podcast
The Positive Recovery MD podcast is hosted by Dr. Jason Powers, Addiction Medicine Specialist and creator of Positive Recovery. 

This podcast will not only inspire and motivate its listeners, it will provide the tools and foundation needed to thrive and flourish on their addiction recovery journey. Each week the Positive Recovery MD podcast community will come together to have authentic conversations around addiction, recovery and what matters – growth & progress, not perfection, all while developing positive habits for your life. 

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About Positive Recovery Centers
Positive Recovery Centers is a strengths-based addiction treatment program with locations across Texas. We offer a full continuum of care, from medical detox to sober living all supported by an ever-growing alumni community network. 

Our evidence-based curriculum blends the best of the old with the new, all supporting our mission: that Recovery is best pursued when meaningful, intentional positive habits are formed through empowerment and resilience instead of negativity and shame.  

What is Positive Recovery?
Empathy and compassion drive our mission. Positive Recovery uses strengths as a pathway to help others flourish in recovery, at work, and at home. This is our core purpose, our “why.” We creatively apply science in order to improve outcomes. Positive Recovery is not wishful thinking, it is not a magic pill, and it is not self-help. 

Positive Recovery is an evidence-based addiction curriculum that links the best of the old with the new, integrating existing effective approaches to treatment with interventions that enhance well-being by cultivating its components: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement.