
Taking the Escalator
Substance Use Therapy Tools | Harm Reduction | 12 Step Alternatives
takingtheescalator.com Addiction and Substance Use Resources - Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools for Substance Use & Mental Health
Group Activities by topic
Thanks to all who provided a Google Review
Alphabetical Listings by Topic:
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Accountability and Responsibility
6 Shoulds and Should Nots for Responsibility
Accountability and You - Are You Meeting the Challenge?
Accountability Self-Examination Worksheet
Responsibility Road - Looking at the critical concept of increasing responsibility
Addiction and the Brain (See also Disease Concept of Addiction)
This is Your Brain on Drugs...(Fried Egg Not Included)
VIDEO - The Brain and Addiction Behavior with Dr. Erin Zerbo, MD
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NIH: Drugs, Brains and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Free publication from National Institutes of Health
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NIH: Drugfacts: Treatment Approaches for Addiction - Free publication from National Institutes of Health
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Substance Use and Acquired Brain Injury - Workbook specifically designed for this population
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TRUST Patient Workbook - MAT Access Points Project
Adolescent/Young Adult Specific
Adolescent Activities List - A guide with recommendations from this website for clinicians working with adolescents
ADOLESCENTS: RISK FACTORS - Exploring risk factors for substance use issues with young people
Adolescent Substance Use - A basic educational outline for those working with adolescents and parents
Adolescent Substance Use Group (Multiple Choice) - This is a kahoot activity for adolescent substance use groups
Identifying Teen Risk and Protective Factors for Substance Use (PDF Presentation Slides)
VIDEO LINK - Teen Risk and Protective Factors for Substance Use (Corresponds with above)
Three Paths: A Discussion of Marijuana
Anger Management (See also "Relationships" for Conflict Resolution material)
Anger Discussion Sentence Completion - Simple questions for opening up discussion on anger
Anger Management: Digging Deeper and Using Basic AM Skills
Owning Anger Using "I" Statements
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SAMHSA Anger Management for Substance Use and Mental Health Clients (2 links) - MANUAL - WORKBOOK
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Anger Management/Conflict Resolution Workbook- Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Anxiety (Also check "CBT Specific" heading)
Three Ps for Coping with Anxiety in the Moment - VIDEO LINK: Coping in the Moment
READ - Coping with an Overactive Mind - (Inspirational reading submitted by Nicole Tierney)
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Additional ANXIETY, STRESS and PANIC collection from around the web
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Anxiety Busting - Challenging Your Thoughts - University of Exeter
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Anxiety Common Unhelpful and Helpful Thoughts Tool - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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How to Handle Anxious Thinking - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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CBT Basic Group for Anxiety - 132 page free manual with group material from University of Michigan Dept. of Psychiatry
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Calming the Panic - University of Waterloo
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Materials and Worksheets -From "Anxiety" by Paul Stallard
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The Panic Attack Workbook - Lawrence E. Shapiro, PhD
Assessment and Screening Tools
Click to view the Taking the Escalator Assessment and Screening Tools
Assessing Your Change Initiative - Getting started learning about insight, internal motivation and external motivation
VIDEO LINK - "Understanding Insight and Motivation for Positive Change" - (Corresponds with Assessing Change Initiative)
Attention, Concentration and ADHD
Attitude
Confident or Cocky - It Matters
Garbages and Gardens (Attitude Made Simple)
CBT Specific
CBT and Me: Part 1 - Starting with Thinking
CBT and Me: Part 2 - Feeling our Feelings
CBT and Me: Part 3 - Changing Behaviors
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Overview
REBT - Overview of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy skills for group
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CBT 2.0 Curriculum - Dr. Bernie Glos et al
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CBT Skills Workbook- Hertfordshire Wellbeing Services
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Challenging Thoughts Worksheet - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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Cognitive Triangle Worksheet - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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Understanding Cognitive Distortions and Imposter Fears- Dr Sharon Milgram
Change Planning/Recovery Planning
READ: 5 and 5 for Change
Change Analysis - Examining the actual, the real and the ideal
Flipping the Script on Addiction
A Journey Through Change - Looking at change from various perspectives
Life's Education: Breaking the pattern of repeated mistakes
Outside In - Building yourself up on the inside by developing a solid plan
READ: Planning for Inspiration
Start Where You Are, Use What You Have, Do What You Can
Stay Inspired by Planning for Change (Activity)
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Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) - Kansas WRAP Project
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Wellness Recovery Action Plan (Version 2)- Another WRAP Plan (Origin Unknown)
Checking In and Progress Reports
Check In - A basic tool for checking in where you are today
Check In Cheat Sheet - A comprehensive list of information and ideas for the check in process in therapy
Progress Report - Basic progress report worksheet for getting relevant discussion started
Self Assessment: Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
Systems Check - A comprehensive review of where you are in the change process
Children (Activities for Children 12 and Under)
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Telehealth Play Therapy Activities - MindpeaceCincinnati
Closing Group - Ideas, Activities and Worksheets for the End of the Session
Discussion Outline for Speakers or Video
Goodbye Group - An outline for group when someone is leaving, graduating or moving on
Text Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself - (Group close-out homework and follow-up activity)
Weekend Relapse Prevention Plan
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50 Journal Prompts for Anxiety and Depression - From Dream Dash Journal
Cohesion Building for Groups
3A's - Appeciation, Assessment & Advice
Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection - Multiple shorter activities to choose from in this large collection
Care or Don't Care Icebreaker - Another basic tool for starting group discussion
Choose or Lose Icebreaker - Some basic multiple choice questions for opening up discussion
Declare-Disclose-Display - A variety of ways to get the group talking and interacting
Deep and Personal - Some in depth personal questions for opening people up
Describe - Draw - Describe - Get group sharing thoughts and feelings with art
Escalator Jeopardy - A comprehensive educational review - (Also see "Life Jeopardy" under the Coping Skills heading)
Fill in the Blanks Discussion Generator
Grab Bag - A great list of interesting, questions and other situations to get people talking
Grading the Group - Interactive group report card
Group Glue - This one has a little bit of education because it explains the power and value of group cohesion
Group Member Fill In the Blank - A great exercise to have fun and make group interactive
Group Share Battle - A group activity to get group talking about some recovery-based topics for positive change
Icebreakers for Break Time - Short but interesting group assignments for breaks in between groups
The League of Just Us - A basic fun activity focused on superheros
Making the Most out of Substance Use Treatment - This is unique because it is an interactive Kahoot activity
Majority - Interactive exercise, better for an established group than a new one
Memories: A Sci-Fi Action Icebreaker
Pointless Pursuits - (Warning: only try this if you and the group members have established a degree of comfort with one another)
"Roll Play"...aka This May Get Dicey"
Slips of Paper - A quick and easy icebreaker that gets a group talking with no prep time
Social Media Icebreaker - Exercise for self expression based on social media
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks
Telehealth Specific Group Cohesion Building Activities - Ideas specifically for virtual video groups
Unique - Discussing what you would and wouldn't do
Do not forget to check the Taking the Escalator FORUM page for more icebreakers and brief group therapy modules
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30 Team-Building Games, Activities, and Ideas - Rockhurst University Continuing Ed Center
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40 Icebreakers for Small Groups - Grahame Knox
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42 "Fun and Funny" Questions - From Smartsheet
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100 Ways to Energise Groups - International HIV/AIDS Alliance
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The Only List of Icebreaker Questions You'll Ever Need - Museum Hack
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Recovery Family Feud (Interactive PowerPoint) - Origin unknown. Please email takingtheescalator@gmail.com if you know
Commitment
Breaking the Cycle of Broken Promises
Communication, Boundaries and Social Skills
Learning to Say "No" Effectively
Win, Lose or Indifferent: Positive Qualities for Positive Gains
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Additional ASSERTIVENESS and BOUNDARIES collection from around the web
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Boundaries Starter Kit- Christina Bell, PhD
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Small Talk and Friend Making - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
Complacency
Complacency - (Submitted by Laura Laura Hennessy, LCSW. LCADC)
Co-Occurring Disorders/Coexisting Mental Health Issues - (See also Feelings, Thoughts and Emotions)
READ: Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
COD - Co Occurring Disorders - An older outline about COD's and addiction
Coexisting Mental Heath Issues - A checklist for starting to look at mental health
Two Way Coping Strategies for Substance Use and Mental Health Issues
Conflict Resolution (Look under "Relationships")
Control
READ: To Control or Not to Control...Is that the Question?
Powerlessness and Willpower - Looking beyond powerlessness to examine where we can build willpower
Power and Control - (Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy, LCSW, LCADC)
Working Out Self Control Muscles
Coping Skills and Life Skills- General
READ - Accept - Cope - Adapt, Part One
Accept-Cope-Adapt - An approach for dealing with life struggles
Coping Tool Box: Warmup Exercise
Pet Appreciation - Discussing how animals can help us cope
Positive Self Statement Coping Collection
Use Your Brain and Not Your Pain - Another simple but effective strategy for coping with challenging emotions
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Coping Skills Collection (Over 100 pages of worksheets) from bcbe.org
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Life Skills Support Group - Los Angeles County Mental Health
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Coping Skills Handout- UW Medicine
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Detaching from Emotional Pain (Grounding)- Kevin Koffler, MA, LMFT
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Grounding Exercise - Partnership for Child Health
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Grounding Worksheet - Winona Edu
Couples (See also "Relationships")
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Couples Worksheets- Embrace Life Counseling
COVID-19 Specific
Additional COVID-SPECIFIC resources from the web listed below:
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Children, Funerals and a Pandemic - A Toolkit for Children and Families - Goodgrief.org
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COVID-19 Anxiety Workbook - shared by: Thewellnesssociety.org
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COVID-19 Anxiety Workshop - University of Arkansas
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COVID-19 Self Awareness Infographic - Unknown
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COVID-19 Digital Mental Health Resources - City of New York
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Daily Self Care Questions During Times of Isolation - Rutgers
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A Letter to Myself During COVID-19 - Jacqueline Soboti, LCSW
Cravings
Coping with Cravings - An essential list of tools for understanding and managing cravings and urges
Criminal Justice Specific
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The Mission Criminal Justice Participant Workbook - David Smelson Psy D. et al
Cross Addiction
Cross Addiction - Education and exercise on substituting addictive behaviors
Decision Making, Ethics and Problem Solving
Challenging Choices Checklist - This is specifically for life's more difficult decisions
Decision-Making and Ethics - Examining what is behind making the right choices
Ethical Decision-Making 2 - Using insight and ethics to make tough choices
The Five Basic Elements of Effective Decision Making
Lost - When you just don't know which way to turn
Making the Right Choice - Another look at making decisions starting from good solutions
Red Flags for Decision Making – Warning Signs for Productive Living
The Space Between - Effectively using the space between feelings and words/actions
When All Else Fails: The Costanza Principle - (Literally only use when all else fails)
- Problem Solving Worksheet - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
Defense Mechanisms
Shielding - Looking at how we may try to protect ourselves from in comfortable realities
Group Roles - Outline of different ways individuals may protect themselves in group settings
Depression
Depression and Alcohol Quiz - A very basic quiz focused on opening up a basic discussion on this topic
- Additional DEPRESSION collection from around the web
- Behavioral Activation for Depression - Unknown
- Busting the Blues Depression Workbook - Exeter University
- CCI Depression Collection
- Depression Common Unhelpful and Helpful Thoughts Tool - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
Developmental Disabilities
- Tips4Inclusion - Tim Rohrer is a young man who grew up with disabilities who now shares his own tools and resources
Disease Concept of Addiction (see also Addiction and the Brain)
The Disease Concept of Addiction - Review of "symptoms" of addiction
Major Life Aspects of the Disease of Addiction
Distress Tolerance
Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphia
Empathy
READ: Empathy without Agreement
"I Feel Like No One Understands"
Excuse Making
Or READ - The Subterfuge Exclusion - (Similiar to Circumventing Excuses in different format)
Families, Support and External Motivation
Addiction and Choice - More Food for Thought
Do You Have to Want to Change? - Podcast
CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) - "10 Basic Messages for Families" Slides - Robert Meyers PhD
External Motivation - Looking at what pushes us to change and ways to increase support
Family Match Game - An icebreaker discussion for multii-family therapy group
Good Choices for Good Living - For Families
POWERPOINT SLIDES - Good Choices for Good Living - For Families
Healthy Families - Looking at positive family qualities
Helpers - Identifying who is out there to help you with the change process
The Pendulum - Examining Common Family Issues - Examining some common family challenges
READ: Push Your Best Foot Forward
Stages of Change -A Guide for Families of Individuals with Substance Use Issues
Support Report - Assessing and maximizing exisiting potential support system
Support Zones & Interpersonal Boundaries - Stepping outside of your comfort zone to build support
Strategy List for Families Dealing with a Loved One's Substance Use Issue
VIDEO - Click here to see the above outline "Strategy List for Families..." via Facebook Live video
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Constructive Family Communication Patterns - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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Family Communication Patterns - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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Family Problem Solving Worksheet - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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GETTING CANDID: FRAMING THE CONVERSATION AROUND YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION- The National Council
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Negative Family Communication Patterns - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
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Strengthening Families Program - Dr. Karol Kumpfer
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Tips for Recovering Parents Wishing to Break Intergenerational Cycles of Addiction - William White
Fear and Phobias
Are You Letting Fear Hold You Back?
CONFIDENCE BUILDING - (Overcoming Fear of Failure)
Overcoming Fear of the Unknown
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Facing Your Fears- University of Exeter
Feelings, Thoughts and Emotions (General)
Change the Channel: The TV Mind Analogy
Dealing with Feelings - Coping with feelings from three viewpoints
Difficult Feelings: Dissect and Deal
READ: Emotional Self-Prevention - Looking at sensitive areas
Feeling Under the Weather - A brief true-false list to open an honest discussion about feelings
Five Key Aspects of Appropriately Managing Feelings
Happiness Factor - (Submitted by Lesley SanFilippo, LCSW)
The IDEA Technique- A tool for coping with challenging thoughts and feelings
Meta-emotions - Feelings about feelings
READ: Please Dont Feed the Monster - An illustration about negative thoughts and feelings
Thinking About Thinking - Looking at the link between thinking, feeling and behaving
Thinking, Feeling and Coping in Challenging Scenarios
Thinking Styles - Tool for self-analyzing how we think
Thoughts and Feelings - Gaining an improved understanding how our thoughts and feelings affect us
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12 Negative Thoughts Holding You Back - By dontgiveupworld.com
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Exploring Emotions Through Activities- Danny Wayne Pettry, Certified Recreation Specialist
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Feelings List - One Page PDF with Body Sensations - Hoffman Institute
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Map Your Happy - University of Arizona
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What's Underneath?- Mental Health America
Forgiveness and Resentment
Drop the Rocks - Letting go of resentments
READ: Nicole Tierney on Forgiveness
Part 1 : Forgive, Live and Love
Part 2: Divisions of Forgiveness
Part 3: Some Thoughts to Help Cope
Forgiveness and Self Care- Contributed by Jamie Lewitt MSW Intern
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The Foundation of F.O.R.G.I.V.E.N.E.S.S. The 11 Step Guide for Life Coaches, Pastoral Counselors and Therapist - James Edwards, MA, LA
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Self Forgiveness Workbook - Everett Worthington, PhD and Brandon Griffith, MS
Giving
Give the Gift of Kindness and Hope
Giving Activities - There is more happiness in giving than receiving
Goal Setting
Don't Just Set Goals, Keep Them Going
VIDEO LINK for above worksheet - Don't Just Set Goals, Keep Them Going
Four Year Prediction Time Capsule - An interactive exercise on long term goal setting
Giving Yourself the Best Chance to Succeed
Goal Setting - Using goals to build motivation
Goal Setting Collective: Looking Forward to the Year Ahead
Hopeful Thoughts and Plans for the Year Ahead - Discussion questions for the upcoming year
PCRP - Person Centered Recovery Plan - (Submitted by Katie Tracy, LCSW)
Gratitude
Overreaction: Putting Things in Perspective with Gratitude
Grief and Loss
Coping with Death and Dying - A simple outline for discussing coping with a recent loss without abusing substances
Grief and Loss Cycle (Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy, LCSW, LCADC)
- Coping with Grief and Loss - University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Gone too Soon - Workbook specific to loss related to fatal overdose by the BC Centre on Substance Use
- Grief and Loss Workbook from Better Endings - (Written specifically for people with FASD but most material useful for anyone)
- Substance Abuse and Overdose: When a Loved One Dies - The Bereavement Center
- Additional GRIEF, LOSS, and BEREAVEMENT collection from around the web
Guilt and Shame
Guilt and Shame - Understanding and learning to cope with these challenging feelings
Understanding and Coping with Guilt and Shame - Similar to the other but in a different format
- Coping with Guilt and Shame Workbook - Leutenberg and Liptak
Harm Reduction Specific
A Realistic Look at Substitution
Straight D's -A Simple Harm Reduction and MAT Illustration
Taking an Honest Look at Abstinence, Harm Reduction, Substitution & Cross Addiction
Understanding Harm Reduction and Medication Assisted Treatment -The Basics
Understanding Harm Reduction - The Podcast - (Based on the above outline - click title to listen)
Hoarding
- Additional HOARDING collection from around the web
Humor
Icebreaker (See "Cohesion Building for Groups" on this page) Also check Forum page
Insight Building - Basic, (Early Stage)
Counting the Cost of THC (This has nothing to do with marijuana)
How High was I..How Low did I Go? Assessing highs and lows of getting high
Insight: Keeping the Window Open
Knowing What You Don't Know (Simplified Version)
Labels - For lower insight levels, comparing what is using, abusing and addiction
Perspective Shifts for Positive Growth - VIDEO LINK: Perspective Shifts for Positive Growth
Point of View Adjustment - Looking at other viewpoints to gain awareness
Remembering Me A.D. (After Death)
Self-Ratings Scale (The Lanni Scale)
Taking a Trip to the Other Side - Again exploring insight and motivation building from new perspectives
Using Fables to Overcome Foibles
What is Self-Honesty and Why is it So Important?
- Character Traits List - (Free download from teacherspayteachers.com)
- Honesty and Recovery Worksheet - Author unknown
- Self Awareness Worksheet: Who am I - Destiny's Odyssey
Insight Building - Advanced
Addiction and Mental Health Pictured
An Interview with Your Past and Future Self
The Insight Game - Who knows the group?
Knowing What You Don't Know II - (Advanced Discussion)
Making Healthy Self -Investments
The Mirror of Awareness - Using the Group as a Mirror
Overcoming Ignorance and Indifference for Positive Growth
Pick a Card - A variety of questions for insightful discussion
Simple Insight Inventory - Strengthening existing insight to build motivation
Simple Insight Inventory II - (External/Support) - Working on external motivators and supports
A Step Outside the Comfort Zone
READ - Topping Out...Worse than Hitting Bottom?
READ - Unfollowing the Nonsense - A brief discussion on how media can influence perception
Why am I Here? - Getting honest about the real reasons for coming to treatment
Wisdom, Intelligence and Changing Your Paradigm
Integrity
READ - Integrity - (Reflective reading submitted by Charles Radiola, MA, LCADC)
Life Story
Life Story Outline - An outline for presenting life stories in substance use treatment groups
Living Up to Your Potential
Living Up to Your Potential - Part 1 - Opening the Door
Living Up to Your Potential - Part 2 - Imagining Your Potential
Living Up to Your Potential - Part 3 - The Me I want to Be
Loneliness
- Coping with Loneliness Workbook - Ester R.A. Leutenberg & John J. Liptak, Ed.D.
Matrix Model (SAMHSA) - See "Stimulants" below
Meaning and Purpose
Meaning and Purpose in the Change Process
Setbacks, Meaning, Purpose and Belief
Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment (See also Feelings, Thoughts and Emotions - See also Co-Occurring)
Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Overview
Read: Remaking Your Mind
Read: Should I See My Friend's Therapist? - Examining the Pros and Cons
Mind on Mental Health (Podcast), has an engaging host and knowledgeable speakers on MH topics
Mood Swings/Bipolar Disorder
Understanding and Coping with Mood Swings
Motivation Building (Internal)
13 Expectations and Aspirations
14 Character Traits that are Essential for Sustaining Internal Motivation
Decreasing the Negative & Increasing the Positive - (Love the Good, Hate the Bad)