Jim V.
Group therapy is where the rubber meets the road in treatment. The dynamics of the group experience bring out issues and feelings from clients and allow them to get feedback and support from others. This is the beginning of the process of opening up, connecting with others and learning to communicate. At Cornerstone of Southern California, group therapy is designed to help clients meet their treatment goals and get on the way to long-term sobriety.
Communication group therapy activities and topics cross a wide spectrum, and the following are some topics you may find in group sessions.
You might be anxious about what substance abuse group activity might entail. Here are some topics and activities for adults with substance abuse disorder that you might go over in this type of therapy.
Substance abuse group activities for recovery aim to work on your own personal trauma and bad habits that brought you to addiction. What are some ideas for substance abuse group activities? Find the list of recovery group topics:
Relationships: For example, members can discuss and learn what healthy relationships look like an how to avoid pitfalls in relationships.
Codependency: Many addicts have been involved in codependent relationships. Identifying codependency and learning how to have healthy relationships is key in recovery.
Accountability: In addiction we tend to be unreliable and don’t show up for people. Group discussions on why accountability is important is essential to rebuilding relationships.
Trauma: Incidents of trauma affect the majority of addicted people, and discussing this in group and learning coping skills is vital to recovery.
Honesty: A keyword in any recovery discussion, being honest at the group level is the beginning of the recovery journey.
Medication: Many people in recovery take antidepressants and other medications as prescribed. Group discusses healthy use of medication and what medications to avoid.
Impulse control: Most addicts suffer from lack of impulse control. If you suffer managing your impulsively, group discussions can give you tips on how to hit the pause button.
Boundaries: Dysfunctional people tend to have blurred or no boundaries. Group discussions will put perspective on how to create healthy boundaries and use them in relationships.
Forgiveness: Espoused by most religions, learning to practice forgiveness is a major part of living a more spiritual and sober life.
Values: In addiction, our behavior does not match our values. Group discussions on how to behave in accordance with values will help you rebuild your character.
12-step groups: Many have recovered in groups such as AA, but others don’t always succeed there. Group discussions can offer advice on how to best use self-help groups.
Family disease: Addiction affects all family members. Group discussions can help demonstrate how getting sober requires a rebalancing of the family.
Triggers: Those in early recovery are especially sensitive to triggers for relapse. Groups can discuss triggers and ways to cope with common triggers.
Gratitude: They say a grateful person is a lot less likely to relapse. Groups can discuss gratitude, explore ways of staying grateful on a daily basis such as positive affirmations.
Surrender: In recovery we say “surrender to win.” Group talks will explain how admitting defeat is the beginning of recovery.
Resentments: Harboring resentments can be a major impedance in recovery. Group discussions about resentments and how to deal with them in a healthy way will be a positive addition to your recovery mindset.
Sex in recovery: Group talks on how to have healthy sexual relationships, and why it is sometimes better to avoid them in early recovery.
Loss: Most have experienced loss, in and out of addiction. Group sessions about using coping skills to handle the emotions associated with loss will help navigate difficult emotions and trauma.
Depression: A large percentage of addicts have a dual diagnosis of addiction and depression. If experiencing depression, you may need medication to alleviate it. Group discussions can explore depression and ways to treat it.
Anxiety: Many people in recovery experience even more anxiety without their drug of choice. Groups can benefits from members discussing mental illness such as anxiety and discussion on how to best deal with it.
Anger: Whether expressed or suppressed, anger is an issue for many. Groups can discuss how to express anger in healthy ways.
Listed below are group topics for substance abuse addiction recovery and also personal growth. These topics should be touched on and practiced beyond your treatment to ensure abstinence beyond therapy. Group sessions allow for a broad range of perspectives that can open your mind and teach you new ideas in recovery. What are some ideas for substance abuse group activities?
Self-care: Discussing why it is vital to take the time to care for yourself. Sharing easy ways to be mindful or spiritual. The importance of looking after your basic needs and more.
Exercise: Getting fit and staying fit helps many to maintain sobriety. Group discussions on ways to achieve physical fitness, how to stay motivated, and how to set fitness goals.
Stress management: Stress affects everyone and dealing with stress is a key part of any recovery plan. Learn ways to de-stress such as anger management skills and breathing techniques.
Goal setting: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you probably won’t get there.” Group discusses the importance of setting attainable goals.
Role models: Choosing good role models provides positive reinforcement and improves self-esteem. Group discusses the importance of role models.
Conflict resolution: All relationships have conflict, and learning to resolve conflict in a healthy way is essential to recovery.
Self-esteem: Most addicts have self-esteem issues, and they don’t just disappear in recovery. Group discussions on exploring how to build healthy self-esteem such as by self-affirmations.
Financial management: Many addicts lose control of their finances, and some never learned how to manage money. Group discusses how to learn and practice money management.
Self-care and good physical and mental health is essential to long-term recovery. Learning techniques to manage your stress and boost your self-esteem are necessary to avoid relapse. Working on your interpersonal skills and setting motivational but attainable goals are practices that will stand you in good stead beyond your group therapy treatment.
Group therapy settings are a safe environment to discuss ways to recover from addiction and grow in recovery and beyond. These support groups aim to keep you on track in your own recovery journey and avoid relapse in the future.
Lean on your therapy groups and support systems as you gather back your strength in recovery. The aim of group therapy is to set you up for a successful recovery.
If you have questions or concerns about what your group therapy experience will be like at Cornerstone of Southern California, talk to us. We are standing by 24/7 to answer questions, take your calls and listen. Find above addiction group topics list.
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that allows clients to work together and get feedback and support from other group members. This is the beginning of the process of opening up, connecting with others and learning to communicate. At Cornerstone of Southern California, group therapy is designed to help clients meet their treatment goals and get on the way to long-term sobriety. Find above group topics for addiction.
Studies have shown that group therapy is beneficial over individual therapy. It is said that “group therapy and addiction treatment are natural allies.” This is why it is important to engage in substance abuse group sessions.
Get help: Drug Rehab Orange CountyA group therapy setting will allow you to bring your own experiences to the table and also hear outside perspectives at the same time. They are a great outlet to hear honest feedback in a constructive manner and controlled environment. These recovery groups will help you gain coping strategies that will allow you to reflect, heal, and move forward with a better mindset to avoid relapsing.
