Music Program at Recovery First Treatment Center
Where Healing Meets Harmony
At Recovery First Treatment Center, we believe recovery is most powerful when it reaches the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. That's why we've introduced something truly unique to South Florida addiction treatment : a comprehensive Music Program that blends the universal language of music with the transformative work of recovery. Music has a way of meeting people exactly where they are. It can transport you to a memory, help you feel understood, and open doors that other forms of therapy sometimes can't. Here at Recovery First, we've made it a cornerstone of the healing experience.
About Our Florida Music Program
Developed and championed by Executive Director Scott Frankel, the Music Program draws on over 15 years of experience integrating music into addiction treatment settings. Scott’s vision was simple but powerful: create a space where clients feel at ease from the moment they arrive, and give them something to carry with them long after treatment ends.
The Music Program is led by Gary Wayne, Director of Music & Creative Arts, whose expertise brings structure, inspiration, and authentic artistry to every session.
What Our Music Program Includes
After each day’s intensive 6½-hour clinical programming, clients who have earned the privilege can participate in daily music sessions that may include:
- Voice lessons: Finding and developing your own sound.
- Guitar lessons: Learning from the first chords to playing full songs.
- Drum lessons: Using rhythm as a means of release and grounding.
- Keyboard lessons: Exploring melody, harmony, and musical expression.
- Songwriting and composition: Turning personal stories into art.
These sessions are not passive. Clients practice independently, collaborate with peers, and co-write original music, using creativity as a conduit for connection and self-discovery.
Friday Open Mic: A Sober Happy Hour
Every Friday, Recovery First comes alive with its signature Open Mic Sober Happy Hour, a celebration where clients and staff share the stage. This event has become one of our most meaningful traditions, creating a joyful, sober environment that honors talent, embraces vulnerability, and fosters a sense of community.
On any given day, you might walk through our halls and see a client carrying a guitar, headed to practice. This image captures the sense of purpose and creative identity that our Music Program aims to inspire.
Why Music in Recovery?
Music is more than entertainment. It’s a bridge. For many individuals entering treatment, the early days can feel overwhelming and isolating. Music has an immediate, calming effect; it puts clients at ease, signals safety, and helps build connections even before words are exchanged.
As the recovery process deepens, music evolves into something greater: a creative outlet, a coping tool, and a source of genuine joy. Clients who discover—or rediscover—a love for music during treatment don’t just leave with sobriety skills; they leave with something to do, a sense of identity, and a community of people who share that passion.
Many Recovery First alumni continue to play music long after their treatment has ended. This is not a coincidence; it illustrates how effectively the program works.
Innovation, Not Imitation
Recovery First has always been committed to leading rather than following. The Music Program embodies this philosophy. When Scott embarked on creating this program, he posed a simple guiding question: “What’s your happy place?” For him, the answer was music. He intended for that sense of joy, passion, and belonging to be woven into the fabric of Recovery First.
The outcome is a treatment experience that, in Frankel’s words, is both enjoyable and effective: “We’re fun, and we get the job done.”
Learn More
For media inquiries about the Music Program or other Recovery First programming, contact:
Scott Frankel, Executive Director sfrankel@contactaac.com
To learn more about treatment at Recovery First Treatment Center or to begin the admissions process, visit recoveryfirst.org or call .
Scott Frankel - Executive Director
Scott has championed music-in-recovery programming for over 15 years and oversees the vision and integration of the Music Program within Recovery First's broader clinical model.
Gary Wayne - Director of Music & Creative Arts
Gary brings professional-level musicianship and a deep commitment to the healing arts to every session he leads.
Music Program Photo Gallery
