Group Exercises for Substance Use Disorders Counseling

An expertly curated collection of effective group exercises for patients with addictions In the newly revised second edition of Group Exercises for Substance Use Disorders Counseling, experienced addiction counselor, Geri Miller, delivers a practical collection of group therapy exercises for patients struggling with substance addictions. The author has drawn on over four decades of frontline experience treating addicted patients, as well as the latest research, evidence, and best practices, to curate a selection of group exercises that improve health outcomes among a wide variety of patient populations. You’ll find useful group exercises accompanied by easy-to-understand instructions in an intuitively organized format. These exercises assist patients in the development of self-awareness of harmful behaviors and patterns and realistic strategies they can apply immediately to help address them. They also help patients identify stressors and triggers and offer techniques to avoid or resist them. Inside the book: Practical group counseling exercises that work with patients from myriad backgrounds, including those belonging to especially vulnerable groups Easy-to-follow instructions for clinical practitioners, counselors, social workers, and other professionals conducting group therapy for addiction Complimentary PowerPoint resources to help educators in a classroom setting, as well as counselor supervisors conducting training An essential and updated resource for mental health and addiction counselors, Group Exercises for Substance Use Disorders Counseling is an invaluable book for anyone involved in or studying substance abuse counseling and treatment.

Preface xi Acknowledgments xv About the Companion Website xix 1 Introduction 1 Personal Reflections 1 Yoga and 12-Step Recovery 3 Music Therapy and SUD Treatment 4 Main Section Points 5 Overview 6 2 Philosophy and Practice of Group Work 15 Personal Reflections 15 Philosophy of Group Therapy 16 Types of Groups 18 Stages of Group Development 23 Stage 1: Initial Stage—Orientation and Exploration 25 Stage 1: "Forming" 26 Stage 1: "Birth/Trust" 26 Stage 2: Transition Stage—Dealing with Reluctance 28 Stage 2: "Storming" 30 Stage 2: "Adolescence/Conflict" 30 Stage 3: Working Stage—Cohesion and Productivity 32 Stage 3: "Norming/Performing" 33 Stage 3: "Adult/Trust" 33 Stage 4: Final Stage—Consolidation and Termination 36 Stage 4: "Adjourning" 36 Stage 4: "Death/Grief and Loss" 36 Group Leader Techniques 40 Specific Issues 42 Therapist Self-Care 45 Words to the Wise 47 Developing an SUD Counseling Group 48 Handling Stage 2 Confrontations of the Leader 49 Addressing Specific SUD Issues 50 Developing Group Member Awareness 51 3 Group Exercises 55 Personal Reflections 55 Icebreakers 60 In Person Only (Versions) 60 Introductions (In Person) 60 Online Adaptations of Icebreaker Introductions 63 Additional Exercises (In Person) 63 General Opening Group Exercises 64 In Person Only (Versions) 67 Verbal Exercise 67 Nonverbal Exercises 67 SUD Recovery 68 In Person Only 68 In Person/Online 75 Family/Relationships/Culture 84 Family 84 In Person Only (with Family Members) 84 In Person/Online 85 Relationships 87 In Person Only 87 In Person/Online 88 Culture 91 In Person Only 91 In Person/Online 91 Feelings Exploration 92 In Person Only 92 In Person/Online 93 Group Community Building 96 In Person Only 96 In Person/Online 98 Self-Esteem 101 In Person Only 101 In Person/Online 102 Recovery Skills: Communication/Mindfulness/Problem Solving 103 Communication 103 In Person/Online 103 Mindfulness 104 In Person Only 104 In Person/Online 104 Problem Solving 104 In Person Only 104 In Person/Online 105 Values 106 In Person/Online 106 Openers 107 Opening Statements 107 General Opening Activities 108 In Person Only 108 In Person/Online 108 Specific Opening Activities 108 In Person/Online 108 Closers 109 Closing Statements 109 In Person/Online 109 General Closing Activities 110 In Person 110 In Person/Online 110 Specific Closing Activities 111 In Person Only 111 In Person/Online 112 References 112 4 Resources 115 Current Favorites 115 Readings 115 Readings (Group) 115 Readings (Music) 117 Readings (SUD Care) 117 Readings (Transgender) 118 Readings (Yoga) 118 Workbooks/Exercises 118 Icebreaker Exercises 119 Group Therapy Focus 119 Individual Therapy Focus (can be adapted to groups) 119 Websites 119 General 119 Music Therapy 120 Transgender 120 Classic Favorites 122 Readings 122 Workbooks/Exercises 122 Icebreaker Exercises 124