
Taking the ​Escalator
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
Sorry, website under
reconstruction
It will soon be fixed
Need a quick icebreaker to start out your group?
Don't forget to check the Taking the Escalator FORUM page

NEW GROUP THERAPY MATERIAL:
NEW GROUP THERAPY MATERIAL:
NEW GROUP THERAPY MATERIAL:
Simple Questions During Complex Challenges
Group Share Battle (Video and Game)
Healthy Life - Healthy Relationships
Relationships: The Cycle of Over-functioning, Guilt, and Resentment
Overcoming Obstacles and Breaking Down Barriers
Hopeful Thoughts and Plans for the Year Ahead
Don't Just Set Goals: Keep Them Going
Difficult Feelings: Dissect and Deal
To view the CCI website directly go to - https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Overview
Unless otherwise specified, all materials on this page are Taking the Escalator originals. At the end of each subheading section are some additional resources from around the web for Taking the Escalator users to look through and download. These materials are open source for public use
Materials that are from outside sources are marked with a square bullet point as done for this line. It is our policy not to violate other source's copyrights, so if you notice a potential conflict, please email us at takingtheescalator@gmail.com
Materials marked "CCI" are from a large collection which comes generously from the Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) in Western Australia, who has allowed these mental health worksheets and activities to be uploaded and shared for counselors by Taking the Escalator.

Alphabetical Listings by Topic:
< To search by word anywhere on this page press: CTRL F >
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
- CCI Eating Disorder and Body Dysmorphia Collection
- Eating Disorders - National Institute of Mental Health
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)
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
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
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?
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
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
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)
Dissecting the Heart - Enhanced internal motivation building
Flammable Areas - Early stage insight and motivation building
From the Heart - VIDEO LINK: From the Heart
READ - Getting Started - (What Do I Do? - Getting Started Up the Mountain) - Motivational reading
Going the Distance: Sustaining Motivation
Motivation, Determination, & Habit in Recovery - (Submitted by Cassie Jewell)
"Must Haves" - Identifying and Discussing Basic Needs for Self-Improvement
Positive Motivation - Building motivation by focusing on the positive
Simple Questions During Complex Challenges
Starting and Staying on a Positive Note
- Self Motivation Workbook - (Origin unknown)
Music
Music and Recovery - (Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy LCSW, LCADC)
Obsession, Compulsion, OCD
Brainspace: Strategies for Coping with Negative Thoughts
Examining Obsession and Compulsion
- Distinguishing Information-Seeking and Reassurance Seeking - St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute
Overcoming Obstacles
Overcoming Obstacles and Breaking Down Barriers
Trusting that there are Alternatives
Learning to Live within Normal Limits
Strengths and Weaknesses Examining strengths we have and weaknesses we need to work on in the change process
- Strengths of Character Worksheet - Winona University
Poetry and Writing
- 10 Lifetime Narrative Exercises - Ideas for writing about self from Vanderbilt.edu
- 67 Addiction Poems - Familyfreind
Problem Solving (See "Decision Making")
Procrastination (Read now don't wait until later)
- Procrastination worksheets - Living fully with ADHD
Progress Reports (See "Checking In")
Psychosis
- CBT for psychosis - Valerie Kreider, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC, Harry Sivec, Ph.D.
Regrets
Relapse - See "Setbacks"
Relationships/Conflict Resolution/Social Skills (See also Anger)
The Cycle of Over-functioning, Guilt, and Resentment
Guilt and Relationships - Coping with the challenges of guilt in relationships
Healthy Life- Healthy Relationships - Examining qualities for relationship building
VIDEO LINK - Healthy Life- Healthy Relationships - Corresponding video to above worksheet
The Ideal Partner - Looking at what you want out of relationships
READ - Is Tough Love Too Tough?
Planning Ahead for Relationship Issues
Readjusting Your Relationship Radar - Adjusting the way you choose relationships
READ: The Relationship Analogy
Resolving Conflicts without Anger
Rules of "Fighting Fairly" - Some basic rules for conflict resolution in relationships
READ - Six Qualities of Healthy Couples that Stay Together
Social Relationships - Setting Priorities
- Additional RELATIONSHIP and COUPLES collection from around the web
- CCI - Interpersonal Problems Collection
- The Conflict Resolution Resource Guide - Lough Barnes Consulting Group
- Conflict Resolution Skills - Edmunds College
- Conflict Resolution Worksheet - Winona University
- Social Wellness Checklist - National Institute of Health
- Teen Relationship Workbook - Kerry Moles, CSW
Resentment (See Forgiveness)
Resilience
The Power of Caring, Connection and Resilience
Respect
Time
Tolerance
Tolerance...A Breakfast You Can Tolerate
Trauma
(For additional information on Trauma see the Escalator Trauma Resource Page)
Adverse Childhood Experiences Podcast
HP Squared - Hurt People, Hurt People
Unforeseen Circumstances: Adapt or Collapse
- Dissociation - UW Medicine - Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
- The PTSD Workbook - Tijana Mandic, PhD
- Worksheets and Handouts on Trauma and ACES - American Library Association
- Your Very Own TF-CBT Workbook (Fillable)- Alison Hendricks, Judith A. Cohen, Anthony P. Mannarino, and Esther Deblinger
Trust
Values, Morals, Honesty and Integrity
It's Easy to Be Honest When You Have Nothing to Lie About
Lifeboat Activity - Lifeboat exercises are nothing new but this one has had good success