Summary
Contents
Group Activities for Families in Recovery offers therapists a wealth of activities designed to help families struggling with addiction address problem areas of functioning, and ultimately shift from dysfunctional patterns to healthy living. Written by expert practitioners in family-oriented substance abuse treatment programs, this text focuses on group therapy as a key component to treatment.
Beginning with a brief overview of the issues involved in working from a systemic family therapy perspective of addiction, the text discusses practical guidelines for working with families in groups and how to best utilize the exercise in the book. The collection of 30 group activities are suitable for a variety of family-oriented substance abuse treatment groups. They are divided into seven sections covering the key issues of:
1. Family Structure; 2. Family Identity; 3. Sober Fun; 4. Toward Health; 5. Anger Management; 6. Healthy Communication; 7. Parenting
The activities are varied and include topics presented through expressive arts (drawing, writing, acting), game-playing, problem solving, enactments, worksheets, and roleplaying. The activities can be used individually, incorporated into another program, or stand alone as a 16-week (or longer) program. They can also be adapted for use in groups where children or present, or for adult-family groups.
Rebuilding Trust: Activity Title: Rebuilding Trust Discussion and Worksheet: Activity Mode: Psycho-Educational (Worksheet)
Rebuilding Trust: Activity Title: Rebuilding Trust Discussion and Worksheet: Activity Mode: Psycho-Educational (Worksheet)
Rationale
Almost universally, people who present for substance abuse treatment have families who have lost trust in them. This can be a painful subject that can provoke strong emotions.
It can be helpful for group members and family members to process their own issues and hear other families process their issues related to trust. One benefit is that families often recognize that these experiences, though painful, are very common. We often hear group members and family members express surprise and relief as they recognize that they are not alone with these experiences.
In most groups, there will be individuals and families in various ...
