In practice, facilitators can lift individual prompts from the list and use them to open a substance use group, structure a themed recovery session, or add variety to a relapse prevention programme. The activities are suited to addiction counsellors, drug and alcohol workers, rehab teams, therapeutic community staff and trained peer support facilitators working with adults in recovery from substance misuse, drug dependence or alcohol addiction.
The PDF begins by explaining what group therapy is used for in addiction treatment: gaining insight, practising communication, receiving honest feedback, building hope, developing healthier social experiences and exploring denial, responsibility, limits and interpersonal conflict. It also outlines the role of the group leader, including noticing recurring patterns such as people-pleasing, gently guiding discussion and helping clients understand behaviours that may appear both in sessions and daily life.
A recovery framework is included around three phases: ‘Coming In’, ‘Looking In’ and ‘Looking Out’. The text links these stages with building a trusted support network, sharing addiction stories, identifying negative core beliefs, learning to respond intentionally rather than react automatically, and preparing longer-term plans for cravings, relationships and future wellbeing.
The activity ideas cover a broad mix of group therapy topics, process questions and experiential exercises. Prompts include identifying triggers and coping strategies, discussing gratitude and the impact of language, listing alternatives to using drugs, stream-of-consciousness writing, reflecting on best and worst life moments, exploring self-description, practising empathy through role play, and talking about nutrition, fitness, sleep, self-care, anger management and forgiveness. Other visible exercises include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, music sharing, group storytelling, emotional identification, anonymous fear sharing, stereotypes using labels, neuroscience of addiction, opioid and alcohol effects, bullying, childhood advice and moral decision-making.
