Group Therapy & Activities for Substance Use Recovery

For example, group members can take turns playing an instrument (such as a Tibetan singing bowl), share meaningful songs about recovery, or even try writing a song together. Many recovery groups make affirmation collages by writing down positive statements, cutting them into strips, and gluing the strips onto poster boards. Mindfulness is the practice of observing the present moment without judgment. It can boost your sense of well-being and help you cope with drug cravings and other recovery-related challenges. Our vision is that all Pennsylvanians live safe, healthy, and independent lives, free of discrimination and inequity. This group is facilitated by a nurse who specialized in lactation or breastfeeding.

• This game has no winners or losers, and you may play with more than one balloon at a time.
• Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free.
• Most recently, prior to joining Alina Lodge, Jim was a Business Development Representative for an outpatient facility that offered partial care, intensive outpatient and regular outpatient programs.
• Confidentiality is a cornerstone of effective support groups; however, maintaining privacy within a group setting can be complex.
• Through the group dynamic, clients foster hope and examine core issues that exacerbate their addictive disorders.
• Group mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques, such as yoga or tai chi, significantly benefit people in all stages of recovery, offering a form of self-care.

YouTube Video: Leading Therapy Groups with Adolescents

Our article on Self-Esteem Therapy provides more ideas to improve self-esteem and growth activities that can be applied to both individual and group therapy sessions. The particular psychotherapeutic conditions a group provides are ideal for creating personal growth and improving self-esteem. Groups can establish a safe, trusting interpersonal environment that allows members to gain new skills and experiences.

Topics Covered in Group Therapy for Substance Abuse

Members can take turns sharing the memory and how it affects them today. According to Alan Wolflet (2004), group activities for grief and loss should help members with the six needs of mourning. Thought identification and replacement is a cornerstone of CBT, which is an evidence-based treatment for both substance abuse group activities for adults anxiety and depression (Wolgensinger, 2015). They may bring one luxury item, one entertainment item, and one survival item. This is often a revealing activity that can help members get to know one another. In this activity, clients will each get an index card to write down three things about themselves.

Cognitive Therapy Techniques & Worksheets: Your Ultimate Toolkit

Maintaining motivation for sobriety is pivotal in the journey of recovery. Substance abuse group activities focused on the positive aspects of a substance-free life highlight the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of remaining sober. Group discussions, guest speaker sessions, and personal testimonials shed light on how sobriety can improve relationships, better health, and a renewed sense of purpose. Substance abuse group activities focus on creating an environment where members feel safe sharing their thoughts and experiences. Substance abuse group activities can range from collaborative exercises that require teamwork to sharing personal anecdotes or engaging in empathy-building exercises. By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, substance abuse group activities strengthen members’ bonds and encourage forming a cohesive, supportive community.

• She believes that family members have the biggest influence upon the student’s efforts for sustained recovery.
• Group therapy can be a fun way to improve aspects of mental and emotional wellbeing.
• She has been a counselor on the women’s team at Alina Lodge since 2014.
• They can help normalize the impact of grief, provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for the individual, and help participants discover resources and coping strategies.
• It is a wonderfully unique experience in that every group and session is different and dynamic.

• Dr. Ranieri has lectured extensively to physicians, nurses, counselors and laypeople about the Disease of Addiction throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 2012.
• Mock Narcotic Anonymous Group is a different addiction group topic.

Focus Group

• We find that many of our clients are unsure of what to expect, and need time to feel out the group dynamic before speaking up.
• A 1-page worksheet for affirmations, positive self-talk, and problem-solving strategies for daily challenges.
• Clients are asked to identify five to 10 chapter titles for their life and briefly explain each.
• This fun activity allows members to open up, get creative, and express ideas and opinions about specific topics.
• Give group members a few minutes to identify their NUTS and ANTS and count how many they can identify within a certain period of time.
• Substance abuse clients often have a hard time forgiving themselves.