The 30 Best Substance Abuse Group Activities

Goals can provide motivation, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment. 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. In drug addiction group therapy or alcohol addiction group therapy, participants share stories, successes, and setbacks, creating a bond that helps each person feel understood and valued. This sense of community can be a key factor in sustaining long-term recovery. One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy for substance abuse is the sense of connection.

Positive Affirmations

This activity encourages members to celebrate even minor milestones, helping them recognize progress and reinforcing a sense of accomplishment. Spending time in nature can have calming effects and improve mental clarity. Organize a group nature walk where members can reconnect with the outdoors, reduce stress, and find peace in a natural setting.

A list of possible group therapy activities

A fun worksheet for creating a bucket list of things that are only possible in sobriety. A 3-page worksheet for developing a colorful self-care “map” to explore patterns and identify new practices. A 16-page worksheet packet for examining the expectations you have for others, helping you to understand how expectations can impact relationships and overall quality of life. A 3-page worksheet for couples substance abuse group therapy ideas to create a shared list of meaningful “bucket list” items to do together.

Substance Abuse Group Activities That Empower Recovery

• Addiction isolates you from those around you, such as friends and family, and you get used to mostly being on your own.
• Practicing mindfulness enables them to manage stress and remain centered in their recovery.
• This resource guide provides practical information and tools for group therapy for mental health practitioners.
• These substance abuse group activities often involve having each member share their name, a brief personal background, and their reasons for joining the group.

Setting achievable goals supports progress, builds confidence, and provides a sense of direction. Kayla is a Mental Health Counselor who earned her degree from Niagara University in Lewiston, New York. 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. This activity focuses on replacing substance use with healthy alternatives during times of stress. Members brainstorm coping mechanisms like exercise, journaling, and talking to a friend, helping them build a toolkit of positive strategies to maintain sobriety.

• This topic provides education on the health risks of addiction, helping members understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Each participant contributes images, words, or colors that reflect their personal journey.
• Ask the group to visualize themselves lost at sea in a storm at night.
• We are here to provide assistance in locating an Ark Behavioral Health treatment center that may meet your treatment needs.

By sharing methods, group members learn actionable ways to handle cravings effectively. Please note that Two Dreams utilizes process groups as opposed to theme/support groups. Group therapy is a common approach used in the treatment of substance use disorders. With a plethora of research supporting its effectiveness, Counselors can effectively use this form of treatment within an addiction treatment program to support their clients.

Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities

And for the theatrically inclined, drama therapy provides a stage for practicing coping skills. Role-playing scenarios allow individuals to rehearse responses to triggering situations in a supportive environment. It’s like a dress rehearsal for real-life challenges – minus the actual stress. In group sessions, everyone knows that everyone else there has faced similar issues. Peer recovery groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step groups, are peer-led, non-professional options for building a support system during recovery. Therapists who run these groups are very resourceful and in order to keep the process relatively fresh introduce different activities and topics continually.

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. People will shut down if you ask them to share their most intimate thoughts from the moment they walk in the door. You need to start slow in order to ease your clients into sharing their deeper thoughts with the group. Once your group feels comfortable with each other you can start digging deeper. After a major blow-up (and once everyone is calm), it can be beneficial for the group to process it with the person who escalated.