Organizing game nights with the recovery group can be a fun way to connect with others. These low-stress activities help people build social skills and find healthy ways to deal with stress or tough emotions. If you or a loved one is interested in group activities for adults in recovery, we can help guide you! Our highly-trained therapeutic and clinical experts at Oasis Recovery offer a safe and comfortable space for clients to undergo addiction treatment. Our medical experts offer a wide range of services and amenities tailored to meet your particular needs.
This adaptability keeps people engaged and ensures that no one feels like they’re being left behind. In this article, we’re diving into some powerful group therapy activities that just might change how you see healing. Discover common social anxiety disorder symptoms and effective treatment options to regain control.
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Some clients may present with reluctance to participate in the different forms of group therapy during their treatment program. Individual therapy provides clients with one-on-one time with a trained Counselor which can feel less overwhelming and more personal than a group setting. When a client shares their hesitations with you about group therapy, there are numerous benefits that you can discuss with them. In this post, I highlight 58 Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities for Recovery that you can use with your clients. In this post, I highlight 50 Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities for Recovery that you can use with your clients.
Comparing Group and Individual Therapy in Addiction Treatment
These steps are especially comforting for members who need a guiding hand to support them through their change. 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). You can organize a sing-along or organize a favorite song show-and-tell. Mindful body scans are a great, simple practice for coming back into awareness of the body. They are typically performed while sitting or lying down and can be followed through a guided meditation or on your own.
Discover Your Path to Healing
Group members can later challenge their anxious thoughts by living in the moment, remembering to pay attention to the present, and learning how to stay present. Engaging in mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance emotional regulation, and build resilience. And by cultivating present-moment awareness, you’ll learn to respond to stressors with greater clarity and calmness. The term “support group” can be defined as a recovery modality designed to foster a sense of community among peers during and after drug and alcohol rehab. And support groups are able to assist in the treatment of both mental health and substance use disorders. Self-care is crucial for maintaining well-being during recovery.
How does group therapy foster community support and reduce isolation in recovery?
While you dance, pay attention to your thoughts and feelings as well. The first person creates a simple beat, and the rest of the group follows suit, repeating the pattern and adding their embellishments. The next player repeats the pattern and adds something new, and the process continues until the individuals before them don’t repeat the pattern.
- Then, your therapist will pair you with an accountability partner to offer encouragement and conduct regular check-ins on progress.
- Try a few of these and see how they resonate with your group then figure out how you can proceed.
- However, researchers caution about the limitations in the rigor of existing studies and emphasize the need for more comprehensive research.
- To really build something meaningful, people need to feel like they’re safe being themselves.
- Meditation is a powerful tool for calming the mind and promoting mindfulness.
You can discuss relationships, triggers, mental health, recovery beliefs, relapse, frustrations with particular treatment models, or challenging social situations. 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. Music offers relief, joy, expression and motivation for many of us. Music therapy is an excellent substance abuse group therapy activity because it provides a soothing environment for members to experience healing. There are several ways to use music therapy to deliver exceptional behavioral treatment. Journaling is about getting in touch with your experiences through writing, while expressive writing is about processing emotions.
Sharing Personal Stories
Opioids are a powerful and effective group of medications used most commonly for pain relief. Our facility has gone through a rigorous process and it’s ongoing. We like that our clients have the peace of mind of knowing Hawaii Island Recovery is up-to-date on the latest research-based interventions. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Are there changes you need to make to improve in this area, and how should you go about it?
- Members discuss ways to handle difficult feelings without relying on substances.
- By including fun, engaging activities in group sessions, facilitators help participants experience recovery as a rewarding process that expands resilience and supports personal growth.
- Talk about your own resilience in the face of challenges, and how you might learn to be more resilient in the future.
- Identifying core values can serve as a strong foundation for recovery.
Set your clients up for success by holding a group meditation session. You can experience harmony, peace, freedom from stress, and pleasure by sowing the seeds. This way, a group can connect with nature and discover a deeper purpose by engaging in meaningful gardening activities. You and other members may spend some time pleasantly working on the garden’s layout, watering, and fertilizing plants. All five of your senses will be engaged as you do relaxing work.
Millions of people do yoga fun group activities for substance abuse treatment every week (and many daily) for a reason. The movements and postures promote restorative breathing, gentle stretching, strength, and flexibility development. Beyond improving the health of the body, yoga focuses on calming and healing the mind. If the parts of your being are healthier connected due to yoga, practicing mindfulness will only enhance its effects and accelerate this connection. During activities like this, you will receive a prompt related to your recovery journey.
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 people get uncomfortable. Have the group identify and discuss common triggers for substance abuse. Suggest different coping strategies they could use to stay sober when triggered. This activity helps members explore qualities, interests, and values that define them beyond addiction, encouraging them to embrace a new, healthy identity.
Reading and talking about stories on addiction or recovery can give helpful insights, build empathy, and support personal growth. This also helps people form healthy habits, like reading for fun. But, having a strong support system and doing positive activities can help. Group activities can create a sense of community, build teamwork, and help with personal growth. Another approach is to focus on one person’s questions or requests during the session. The entire group can then reflect on the topic and share their views.
This activity explores various hobbies, encouraging members to try activities that bring joy and fulfillment, enhancing mental health and enriching life. Role-playing allows members to practice responses to difficult situations, such as social events where substances may be present. This activity builds confidence in saying no and equips members with strategies to handle real-life challenges. We previously posted a list of 60 substance abuse group therapy activities to give readers an idea of what kinds of topics they might encounter during a theme/support group.
Relapse Prevention Planning
Make it clear that participants do not have to share anything they write, so they’ll feel free to explore potentially surprising emotions. Accountability partners offer mutual support and encouragement. This activity pairs members as partners, fostering regular check-ins to discuss progress, setbacks, and goals and reinforcing commitment through shared accountability. Regret can be a heavy burden, but it can also motivate positive change. This discussion allows members to address any regrets they have and explore how these feelings can be transformed into fuel for growth and self-improvement. Identifying and celebrating personal strengths can boost self-esteem and resilience.
Triggers are specific situations, emotions, or people that can prompt substance use. This activity encourages members to identify their unique triggers and brainstorm effective strategies for managing or avoiding these situations. Some group members may be ambivalent about participating in activities because they struggle with commitment to recovery. Facilitators can create a nonjudgmental space where participants feel comfortable discussing doubts, allowing for open expression while encouraging self-reflection.
Good nutrition is foundational for mental and physical health, especially in recovery. This session educates members on balanced diets, the importance of nutrients, and how dietary choices can positively impact mood, energy, and overall well-being. Writing a letter to one’s younger self can be a powerful way to foster compassion and forgiveness. Members write words of support, advice, and encouragement to their past selves, helping them process regret and build self-compassion. Spending time in nature can have calming effects and improve mental clarity.