29 Best Group Therapy Activities for Supporting Adults

June 21, 2023

process group ideas for substance abuse

The protagonist also receives encouragement and support from the group. As each member participates, they can break the damaging thinking patterns that afflict patients undergoing substance abuse treatment. You can help participants work through emotions, feeling, situations, and actions that trigger substance use. Each member has a chance to confront previously invisible feelings, emotions, beliefs, and thoughts that came from a trigger. Substance abuse group activities are one of the most intimidating parts of rehab for many people. Addiction isolates you from those around you, such as friends and family, and you get used to mostly being on your own.

Substance Use Group Therapy Topics & Themes

process group ideas for substance abuse

With better insight and fresh perspective, individual members are better equipped to handle triggers and face issues confidently, instead of seeking temporary escape. Another approach to music therapy is to encourage members to write songs and play them on an instrument. It could be a guitar, piano, flute or even the maracas or tambourine (which don’t require any musical ability).

process group ideas for substance abuse

Mindfulness

  • Substance abuse group activities are one of the most intimidating parts of rehab for many people.
  • By addressing these issues, substance abuse support groups can become more responsive, inclusive, and beneficial spaces for individuals on their journey to recovery.
  • Psychoeducation activities are foundational to substance abuse education within support groups.
  • If the group is too big, you can split members into small circles or have them pair up and reflect on a list of questions together.

While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at Much like journaling, doing some form of stream-of-consciousness writing can greatly help people with processing thoughts that may be troubling them.

process group ideas for substance abuse

Activities for Personal Growth and Self-Esteem

Participants can also share different coping skills that have worked for them, as well as what hasn’t worked. In order to keep participants engaged and focused, leaders may offer different activities during sessions. process group ideas for substance abuse In group sessions, everyone knows that everyone else there has faced similar issues. They are often available at addiction treatment centers but can also be found at community centers or in other public locations.

  • It’s important to have moments of levity during addiction recovery to help build camaraderie and enthusiasm, and playing charades can provide some.
  • Draw or paint a picture of something in nature that has found a way to thrive in a harsh environment, such as a cactus in the desert, or tree roots bursting up from a sidewalk.
  • A letter template for individuals entering long-term residential treatment for substance use, to be opened and read at treatment completion.
  • Process groups are focused on self-exploration and giving/receiving feedback.
  • A 3-page narrative therapy worksheet for exploring a past substance use relapse.

Discover Therapy Worksheets to Help Your Clients

  • These urges and compulsive behaviors can control your life, but you can take back control.
  • Group sessions provide them with a set time within their routine to focus on their recovery.
  • For all your therapy practice and substance abuse group activities needs Theraplatform can help.
  • (Prizes optional, but always appreciated.) During the debriefing, it’s fun to learn more (and thereby increase understanding and compassion).
  • They can help normalize the impact of grief, provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for the individual, and help participants discover resources and coping strategies.
  • Substance abuse group therapy is a great way to improve communication skills overall, which is helpful in successfully managing relationships and resolving conflicts.
  • When clients catch the ball, they have to talk about the statement or answer the question closest to their right thumb.

How is group therapy helpful for those with substance abuse?

process group ideas for substance abuse

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