12 Addiction Recovery Group Activities

Participant and therapist acceptability will be assessed with the use of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability questionnaire at the end of the trial [38, 39]. Therapists involved in the OUTDOOR intervention arm of the feasibility trial will be invited to a focus group at the end of the intervention delivery period. Managers who oversee services involved in the delivery of the OUTDOOR intervention will be invited to an interview. When we think of role-playing, we might imagine actors rehearsing for a play.

Discover Therapy Worksheets to Help Your Clients and Streamline Your Practice

Listening to what other members share can provide a sense of validation and normalcy for members who may have thought that they were alone, or wrong for feeling as they do. Keep reading to learn specific activities that can help your clients in a group therapy session. Discuss how treatments for physical illnesses – like broken bones or infections – are similar to treatments for psychological illnesses like addiction.

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By discussing various mechanisms, such as mindfulness, exercise, journaling, and cognitive restructuring, individuals can discover techniques that work best for them. Let’s encourage everyone to participate in this valuable exchange of ideas. Traumatic group therapy activities for adults in recovery events happen in one’s life like abuse, assault, loss of a loved one, etc. The National Council for Behavioral Health states that about 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some form of traumatic event at least once in their lives.

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Psychodrama allows individuals in recovery to analyze past situations and learn healthy ways to manage difficult relationships and situations. Art therapy activities can include drawing, painting, sculpting and coloring. Art therapy helps to create a calming environment where individuals can work through difficult emotions through art instead of through verbal expression. Sharing experiences in a group setting can offer validation, acknowledging and understanding the feelings and struggles of individuals, and aiding in the healing process. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Read our article that addresses how to apply ACT therapy in group settings.

• Members of the group will get two to five commands that they must perform as a pair.
• In 1905 he was teaching education classes on hygiene for patients struggling with tuberculosis (Pratt, 1907).
• Moreover, it fosters a profound sense of connection and shared humanity, which can be extremely beneficial for your mental well-being.

Harness The Power Of Group Support

Completion rates will be estimated for outcome measures at each time-point, including resource use and accelerometery data. Participants’ baseline characteristics will be summarised by allocated group with descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and dispersion). Between-group differences, including changes from baseline, will be reported for the PROMs and accelerometery with corresponding confidence intervals. For participants who do not speak English, the count of pseudo-anonymised PROMs circulated and returned by post will be documented. The content of the PROMs will be described narratively ensuring participant anonymity is preserved (the language versions circulated will not be specified in reporting). To assess fidelity of delivery of the intervention, we will audio record intervention sessions between each participant and their supporting therapist.

Mindfulness is the practice of observing the present moment without judgment. It can boost your sense of well-being and help you cope with drug cravings and other recovery-related challenges. In addition, they help new members view the group as an open, supportive environment. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at

Participant tools and worksheets

We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. In a substance abuse group, members can discuss their triggers along with coping skills they have found useful. The more you learn about triggers and how to manage them, the easier it is to maintain your recovery. Whether it’s 12-step meetings, SMART Recovery, or group therapy, these services are a crucial part of drug and alcohol treatment programs and aftercare support.

• Group therapy can provide a supportive and cost-effective way to treat symptoms and underlying causes of these debilitating mental health conditions.
• As your group focuses on the balloons and keeping them aloft, your mind will calm down, and all those problems will fade into the background.
• For example, intensive outpatient treatment may require meeting twice a week, while inpatient programs may offer daily sessions.
• After writing their own name on the sheet, they turn it in to staff (effectively allowing staff to maintain a safe and productive environment).
• Experiential therapy activities for adults can help individuals to confront and challenge repressed emotions.
• Group therapy has a nearly 100-year-old history and has branched into many aspects of the contemporary world.

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• 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.
• Whether you are a recovering addict or a therapist looking to step up the group therapy experience, we have got you covered with well-researched, goal-oriented, and engaging activities for group therapy.
• This program aims to address the underlying causes of distress, teach new coping mechanisms, promote balance and healing in the mind, body, and spirit, and give participants a sense of purpose and passion.
• Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
• If other disruptive behaviors occur in group (side conversations, snoring, etc.) address them in the moment objectively (without shaming).