Taking the Escalator
Substance Use, Mental Health, Co-Occurring Therapy | Harm Reduction | Positive Change Tools
takingtheescalator.com Substance Use and Mental Health Resources - Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools
Group Activities by topic
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)
The Anxiety Compass: Coping Across Four Dimensions
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
The Cognitive Distortion Scale - An interesting way to "weigh" distortions as well as traditional Cognitive Distortion list
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
Be the Change You Wish to See in the World
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 Expanded - UPDATED WITH MORE - Everything a counselor needs for group check in
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)
(Also see "Substance Use and Mental Health Recovery Jeopardy" also under Coping Skills)
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 superheroes
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 Icebreaker Adventure
Pointless Pursuits - (Warning: only try this if you and the group members have established a degree of comfort)
"Roll Play"...aka This May Get Dicey"
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
You Have Five Minutes Until You to Run Group and You Have Nothing Prepared
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
Substance Use and Mental Health Dual Recovery Jeopardy
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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Grounding Exercise - Partnership for Child Health
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Tips for Coping - Mt. San Antonio College
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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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
- DBT Distress Tolerance Worksheets - Kaiser Permanente
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 multi-family therapy group
Good Choices for Good Living - For Families
POWERPOINT SLIDES - Good Choices for Good Living - For Families PowerPoint
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
Positive Voices Around Us: Exploring Perspectives of Family, Friends, Community, and Support
READ: Push Your Best Foot Forward
Stages of Change -A Guide for Families of Individuals with Substance Use Issues
Support Report - Assessing and maximizing existing 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 Issues
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
Gambling
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Individualized Treatment for Problem Gamblers - UCLA Gambling Studies Program
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Freedom From Problem Gambling Self Help Workbook - UCLA Gambling Studies Program
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No Dice Gambling Addiction Workbook - Marcy Nichols, BA, CADCI
Giving/Generosity/Ge
Give the Gift of Kindness and Hope
Giving Activities - There is more happiness in giving than receiving
Giving the Gifts of Values and Virtues
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
Embracing Life's Minor Miracles: A Gratitude Self Awareness Journey
Overreaction: Putting Things in Perspective with Gratitude
The Science of Gratitude: Why Being Grateful Feels So Good
Grief and Loss
Coping with Death and Dying - A simple outline for discussing coping with a recent loss
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)
Cell Phones: A Double Edged Sword
Counting the Cost of THC (This has nothing to do with marijuana)
Dig Deeper: Progressive Group Discussion Starters
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
Point of View Adjustment - Looking at other viewpoints to gain awareness
Remembering Me A.D. (After Death)
Self Exploration Through Free Association
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
Expectations vs Reality: Expectations, Reality and the Role of Acceptance
An Interview with Your Past and Future Self
Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
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
The Vacation Always Looks Nicer on the Other Side of the Screen
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
Highways to Healing: Your Recovery Journey
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
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
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