10 Ideas for Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities

Group therapy is a helpful and effective method of treatment if you conduct it properly. You want to encourage as much participation as possible and there are a few different ways you can do that. Navigating these challenges and ethical considerations requires facilitators to strike a delicate balance between providing support and maintaining professional standards.

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• Teens and screens notoriously share a complex relationship that can jeopardize long-term mental health and well-being.
• HHS, through SAMHSA, is announcing several grant opportunities totaling $46.8 million and cover a broad range of behavioral health priorities for the agency.
• 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.

Most of these activities and exercises can be applied to a wide range of group therapy situations. The best discussion topics will depend on the focus of the group, the stage of treatment, and the type of session. It is usually a complement to individual therapy and sometimes medication as well, although it may be used as a stand-alone treatment for certain issues or problems.

• This activity will help group members learn how to set positive, achievable goals and, immerse them in the experience of working toward them.
• Typically, one’s tolerance to a substance increases as the body adapts to its presence.
• In group CBT therapy, patients with similar conditions are placed in one group.
• In settings like Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help support groups, participants find social support and a safe space to openly discuss their challenges.
• Groups are lead by a trained group leader who prompts discussion and encourages everyone to participate.
• However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Pratt (1907) believed that the emotional connection and support led to increased hope and physical improvement. In 1905 he was teaching education classes on hygiene for patients struggling with tuberculosis (Pratt, 1907). For example, you may have to apologize to loved ones you have hurt, establish clear boundaries in your relationships, and cut ties with people who still use drugs. According substance abuse group activities to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), taking time to express gratitude can boost your emotional wellness and help with stress management. Recovery groups can highlight the healing quality of music in various ways. 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.

Cognitive Therapy Techniques & Worksheets: Your Ultimate Toolkit

A 2-page handout with journal prompts for recovery, based on material from The Sober Survival Guide (created with the author’s permission). A 1-page DBT-based handout with 25 examples of dialectics (i.e., two things that seem opposite and are at the same time both true). A comprehensive list of 12-step and other support groups, such as AA, NA, SMART Recovery, Dual Recovery Anonymous, NAMI, etc. A 1-page handout with simple “in-the-moment” calming strategies for anxiety-provoking events.

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• This exercise can help the child compare how they think, feel, and behave when they are struggling with an emotion, to how they might think, feel, and behave if their thinking were to change.
• One of the most common experiences people in recovery share is cravings and triggers to drink or use drugs, and discussing them can help prevent relapse.
• This can be a wonderful activity to use to start a group because it allows members’ active participation in accomplishing objectives and the healing process.
• Group therapy activities can be very beneficial for individuals struggling with loneliness.
• A 3-page worksheet for sharing self-affirmations and partner affirmations, including suggested questions for discussion.
• People opting for group therapy and support groups are often looking for peers to offer guidance and support in their recovery journey.

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Frequently Asked Questions Related To CBT Group Activities

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