This icebreaker is best applied in a setting where everyone is at least somewhat familiar with the other members of the group. Each member will draw one fear each, read it aloud and try to identify who wrote it. In this icebreaker, participants are asked to organize themselves into smaller groups based on a category, such as favorite color, favorite food, number of siblings, etc. It will help teens to get more comfortable interacting with each other and learn something new about the other members. This section includes over two dozen different ideas of icebreakers that are appropriate for both teens and adults in group therapy.

• Before your group, type up about 50 or more positive traits and affirmations, and be sure to double-space.
• By fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie, substance abuse group activities strengthen members’ bonds and encourage forming a cohesive, supportive community.
• Have the group share how they can improve their self-care or list them out as part of your substance abuse group activities.
• Facilitators must implement methods for evaluating group dynamics, individual growth, and overall outcomes.
• Moreover, art therapy fosters personal growth by promoting self-acceptance and self-discovery.

In this activity, clients will each get an index card to write down three things about themselves. Members will go around the room stating the three pieces of information, and other members of the group must guess the lie. Clients are asked to identify five to 10 chapter titles for their life and briefly explain each. They can share these stories with other group members, which helps reinforce the idea that the past is in the past and the future is an opportunity for new beginnings.

CBT Group Activities Essential for Substance Abuse Recovery

She has provided psychotherapy in a residential treatment program and an outpatient addiction treatment facility in New York as well as an inpatient addiction rehab in Ontario, Canada. She has experience working with individuals living with a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and trauma. Substance abuse group therapy can facilitate healthy discussions about relatable topics in recovery.

Breaking the cycle of addiction requires a thorough comprehension of its stages and triggers. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/top-10-substance-abuse-group-activities/ designed to elucidate the addiction cycle help participants identify their patterns, from initial use to cravings, relapse triggers, and recovery milestones. Group discussions, journaling prompts, and interactive diagrams enable participants to recognize the nuances of their own journeys and empower them to interrupt the cycle.

What Is Group Therapy For Substance Abuse?

Addiction isolates you from those around you, such as friends and family, and you get used to mostly being on your own. When you come to rehab and need to share intimately in a group setting during early recovery, it’s no wonder https://ecosoberhouse.com/ people get uncomfortable. Essentially, goal visualization is mental imagery of the participant’s desired positive future, whether that relates to the goal achievement itself or simply to the process of working toward it.

To learn more about addiction recovery, please reach out to a Recovering Champions specialist. Our substance abuse treatment programs offer mental health counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and other evidence-based services to help you or your loved one stay sober. During art therapy sessions, participants are encouraged to explore their thoughts and feelings through visual expression. The act of creating art provides a safe space for self-reflection and emotional release.

YouTube Video: Leading Therapy Groups with Adolescents

You’ll need a whiteboard or a large piece of paper and different colored pens. This extremely simple exercise simply divides members into pairs and requires them to look into each other’s eyes for 60 seconds. Maintaining prolonged eye contact will help group members get comfortable with each other, practice an important part of social interaction, and connect with each other on a deeper level. If there is an odd number of members, the therapist can pair with a member to make it even. Instruct each pair to blindfold one member and tell the other member to guide them around the room in search of a particular object or objects.

• If there is enough time, the partners can switch when the object(s) has been found.
• That’s why some recovery groups encourage members to bring candles, essential oils, and other aromatic materials.
• Balancing empathy with gentle encouragement helps participants explore their ambivalence and find their intrinsic motivations for change.
• Suggest different coping strategies they could use to stay sober when triggered.
• Then write about or discuss how these emotions might serve you, such as the way your depression forces you to slow down and rest when you’re overwhelmed.
• These substance abuse group activities often involve having each member share their name, a brief personal background, and their reasons for joining the group.

A template for tracking attendance, cases discussed, and any other group topics. A 2-page worksheet for identifying things that are controllable versus things that can’t be controlled. A fun worksheet for creating a bucket list of things that are only possible in sobriety.

Your Ultimate Group Therapy Guide (+ Activities & Ideas)

Once a few minutes have passed, they can write them on the paper or whiteboard. They should create a line that flows from each item (they can be circled or in a heart) to a reason for their gratitude. Trust-building activities are also great ways to get group members comfortable with one another and encourage a safe and secure place to share.

• This extremely simple exercise simply divides members into pairs and requires them to look into each other’s eyes for 60 seconds.
• Understanding the far-reaching effects of substance abuse is essential for individuals in recovery and their loved ones.
• In this icebreaker, participants are asked to organize themselves into smaller groups based on a category, such as favorite color, favorite food, number of siblings, etc.
• Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a trained therapist facilitates a therapeutic session involving a small group of individuals who share similar emotional or psychological concerns.
• Brainstorm ideas for the ideal hospital or retreat to provide you with mental and emotional healing.