That’s why some recovery groups have members anonymously write down their fears and place them in a bowl or bag. The group leader then reads each fear, allowing members to identify shared fears and feel less alone. This exercise demonstrates the importance of sharing your feelings so you don’t confuse your loved ones. Throughout your recovery, it’s important to be open about your feelings.

Activities for building healthy relationships

• She worked as a Primary Counselor at Alina Lodge until 2021 when she decided to retire.
• Group therapy is a cornerstone of substance abuse treatment for several compelling reasons.
• Group therapy is an evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental disorders.
• The particular psychotherapeutic conditions a group provides are ideal for creating personal growth and improving self-esteem.

Bill is currently completing the final requirements for CADC licensure. At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives. It is important to understand that group therapy can only be delivered by a licensed, trained, professional therapist. Recovery groups can highlight the healing quality of music in various ways.

Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities for Recovery

Deb has over 30 years of experience in the addiction field including marketing, business development, admissions, and as an operations consultant to addiction treatment and healthcare organizations. Formerly, Deb was the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer and executive responsible for marketing, admissions, and research for two of the nation’s most respected addiction treatment providers. In these positions, she was responsible for creating national visibility, substantial revenue growth, a positive shift in payer mix, and establishing a sales force. Most people getting treatment for substance use disorder benefit from using both group and individual therapy. There are a multitude of activities that can occur during group therapy for substance use disorder, and many are evidence-based and deemed highly effective.

MORE Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities

• The participant who is in a speaker role first can then pick a theme they’d like to talk about for a timed period of three minutes.
• A fun worksheet for creating a bucket list of things that are only possible in sobriety.
• The parenting education group is a well-needed group for mothers-to-be to develop the competence and confidence they need to care for a child.

As the understanding of addiction continues to evolve, professionals and researchers increasingly recognize the vital contribution support groups make in the holistic recovery process. Chris has worked as a business development professional in the addiction treatment industry since 2009. During that time Chris has always aligned himself with treatment programs that have done excellent work for those struggling with substance use disorder. He has had the privilege of working in a variety of geographic regions and levels of care. He truly enjoys the satisfaction of helping people and their families find the program that will best suite their clinical needs, giving them the best chance at successful outcomes. Two Dreams utilizes process groups as opposed to theme/support groups.

This worksheet provides some helpful theoretical insights into the activity. Group therapy sessions can be slightly harder to facilitate than one-on-one sessions. Interactive dynamics and potential communication difficulties with larger groups, however, can often be planned for with effective goal-setting. Hawaii Island Recovery, the Big Island’s premiere residential substance abuse rehabilitation facility for adults, offers a comprehensive treatment program in a tranquil and healing environment. Continue reading for a list of some of the best ideas for substance abuse group activities you can use at your facility.

• A 1-page checklist with quick tips, self-soothing, and indulgent ideas for self-care.
• CBT skills group is a course that teaches mindfulness, your emotions, and the interconnection of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
• There are several mindful balloon activities, but one of the easiest is the ‘balloon hacky sack.’ To play, you only have to sit in a circle and keep the balloon from touching the ground.
• These groups offer a haven for members to openly discuss their struggles, triumphs, and setbacks without fear of judgment.
• A great tool used in group therapy for addiction is using activities such as exercising.

Skilled at developing and executing sales and marketing strategies as well as recruiting, training and motivating high performing sales teams. He has been actively involved in the field of substance abuse and recovery since 2016. 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. Her positive approach focuses on providing appropriate and specific services, keeping the needs of each individual in mind.

Free Therapy Resources to Help Kick-Start Your New Practice

Aaron was also a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Caron Treatment Centers.Aaron joined Alina Lodge as the Director of Marketing and Business Development in August of 2020. Having graduated from St. John’s University in 1990 with a BA in Psychology, Jackie substance abuse group activities for adults began her career in Human Resources and Office Services/Training. Her journey led to a change in the industry, and Jackie began her career at Haley House in 2011 as Resident Advisor. She was promoted to Resident Advisor Supervisor and Counselor in 2013.