10 Fun Substance Abuse Group Activities for Adults
When you’re participating in addiction recovery, consider hosting a game night, learning a new skill, or enjoying some physical activity. These activities can help promote a positive idea of recovery and allow you to better sustain long-term sobriety. 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. Reach out to an addiction specialist today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the road to recovery.
- Participants often find that art helps them process complex emotions.
- Now, imagine taking a mindful walk with your support group peers.
- Of course, it’s crucial to tailor activities to the specific needs and preferences of each group.
- Therapy plays a crucial role, group activities can significantly enhance the recovery process.
- These activities include art, mindfulness, storytelling, and volunteering.
Or picture a lively game of bingo where, instead of numbers, participants mark off common cognitive distortions as they recognize them in their own thinking. It’s education disguised as entertainment – the best kind of learning there is. The most important thing you can do to speed up your recovery is to write about how you feel and talk about it with your therapist or doctor. Choosing recovery close to home means your support system is just a few miles away. Anger can be a challenging emotion in recovery, often leading to impulsive reactions.
The Benefits of Yoga and Movement Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Habits are significant in daily behavior and can either support or hinder recovery. This activity encourages members to reflect on harmful habits and identify ways to replace them with healthier behaviors that align with their recovery goals. 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. Acknowledging past successes unrelated to addiction can boost self-esteem.
How Lifestyle Coaching Helps Individuals Transition After Treatment
Engaging in art, music, or writing within a supportive group setting encourages participants to explore their thoughts and emotions. Moreover, they can aid in addressing co-occurring disorders, or mental disorders that occur along with addiction, providing participants with valuable coping strategies. By adding these nine activities, groups can create a supportive environment.
- These are targeted to help you adopt a more positive perspective.
- They provide opportunities for connection, support, and shared healing.
- Regular physical activity acts as a behavioral shield against relapse by reducing stress and anxiety, which are common triggers.
- Barry Shelton, CARC, CPS peer recovery coach, advises members of Mass General Brigham Health Plan in their recovery journeys.
The neurobiological effects observed, such as increased neurogenesis and improved neurotransmitter balance, emphasize exercise’s potential in reducing addiction-related behaviors. They can also help participants develop their communication skills and experience strength through vulnerability. addiction recovery activities This collective introspection fosters a deeper sense of connection and mutual understanding.
The Role of Peer Support in Long-Term Sobriety
They spoke Somali, Amharic, and Swahili, among other languages. Even if jobs return to rural America, cutting funding for recovery services and the main federal office overseeing such efforts could mean fewer people are employable, Gupta said. Although the federal funding provided half of that employee’s salary, Garcia has continued to keep her on full time. Between the time the cuts were announced and when the federal judge paused them, two women served by Garcia’s program gave birth, she said.
Behavioral activation involves identifying and engaging in positive behavior. You can encourage members to keep a gratitude journal and write everything they are grateful for. This will be beneficial to counteract any depressive thoughts. Thought replacement or cognitive restructuring is one of the fundamentals of CBT. People suffering from SUD often have negative thinking patterns.
Group collage is a collaborative experiential exercise for group therapy where participants work together to create a visual representation of their shared recovery experience. Each participant contributes images, words, or colors that reflect their personal journey. This activity encourages teamwork, unity, and a deeper understanding of the group’s collective goals. The empty chair technique is a powerful experiential therapy activity used to help individuals express feelings toward people, situations, or even parts of themselves. Participants sit in front of an empty chair and imagine someone or something they need to confront is sitting there. By speaking their feelings aloud, participants can release emotions that may be holding them back in their recovery.
Engaging in hobbies such as gardening or art can serve as therapeutic outlets, helping individuals process emotions and foster a sense of accomplishment. Moreover, the release of beta-endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—during exercise provides a natural, healthy alternative to drug-induced euphoria. This neurochemical boost can diminish the appeal of substances, breaking the cycle of addiction. Group sessions can provide a sense of support and camaraderie while practicing these techniques. Many rehab facilities such as this rehab in Portland Oregon incorporate these practices into their treatment programs. Volunteering for a good cause with the recovery group can be very rewarding.
Listening to musicMusic has the power to change or enhance your mood, therefore being a great resource for those in recovery. Feel good music is motivational and clinically proven to provide emotional support to those in addiction treatment.5. Scrapbooking/CollagingMaking a collage can be beneficial to those in recovery, as it can encourage productivity.
The Unique Benefits of Drug Rehab for Couples
Hobbies such as sports, arts, gardening, reading, and volunteering can significantly boost mental and physical health. They foster a sense of achievement and increase self-confidence as recovery progresses. For example, learning to play an instrument or engaging in team sports provides new skills and ways to express oneself. Setting realistic fitness goals and tracking progress builds resilience and reinforces motivation. Combining exercise with proper nutrition and other wellness practices creates a holistic approach to health, which can solidify positive lifestyle changes.
Guide the group to take a few deep, slow, grounding breaths before beginning this exercise. Ask them to be aware of the sensations in their foot, ankle, legs, and entire body as they attempt to remain balanced. Ask them to notice any trembling or shaking and to pay attention to the thoughts or possibly fears that come up.
Facing drug addiction or alcohol abuse can be an isolating experience, which is one of many reasons why treatment providers use group therapy and peer support in their programs. Activities in a group setting keep clients engaged and help them build bonds with peers. Improvisation exercises provide a playful platform for practicing social skills. It’s amazing how thinking on your feet in a supportive environment can boost confidence in real-world interactions. We’re here 24/7 to help you get the care you need to live life on your terms, without drugs or alcohol.

