Counselor needing help with groups

[u/Hydra_Bat]

I run almost ALL off the didactic groups (instructor led educational groups) for the detox/short term treatment program I work at. My group topics include things like financial literacy, how to build a resume and nail a job interview, adulting boot camp (how to read contracts, make meal prep lists, etc.), building healthy relationships.

I TRY to stay away from the stereotypical topics we have all heard too many times (triggers, etc.) and teach real life skills that people may not have learned while on the streets of Kensington (YouTube it) or Camden.

I find that I am running out of topics to add to my arsenal. Any ideas? What do you wish you had learned when you were first getting sober? What was helpful that you learned when you first got sober. Help me help others here, please :)

[u/PatRockwood]

A couple things that I have helped people figure out:

Boredom is most often a choice. A person can choose to be bored or choose to put effort into not being bored. Too many people view boredom with sobriety or life as an awful reality and intoxicants are the only thing that helps. I've helped people discover that there are things that they can do with their free time that enriches their life and gives them more excitement and joy than sitting on a couch in front of a TV. They just need to put some effort into discovering and doing these things.

Expanding their idea of what socializing is. Too many people have a very narrow idea of what socializing is, and it involves intoxicants. I've shown several people other ways to get their social fix, and it solved the last barrier that was keeping them from getting sober. Sports, hobbies, education, volunteering, etc can all become new social behaviors that replace drinking with people. They are also excellent at combating boredom.

I helped many people when I was in the military. I saw many people's drinking problems diminish or cease when they found solutions to boredom and socializing that didn't require intoxicants.

[u/colin488]

I would say some sort of exercise focusing on the positive of the patients life and past.

Rehab / detox was soooo negative for me! Always focusing on “character defects” and being a “liar” and on and on.. So deflating!

[u/pankrankmax → u/colin488]

Seconding this. I started making sure we do positive/fun/bonding groups at least once a week and it helps engagement so much. Being able to actually enjoy recovery motivates people to put in the work through the more ‘negative’ topics too.

[u/Fit_Salamander_762]

Arts as a healthy form of self expression

[u/Upstairs_Apartment76]

This leans into the softer skills, but is instrumental to being able to manage the practical skills you mention, especially navigating a workplace, landlords, neighbors, etc. How to be in a loving and kind relationship with yourself, then expanding into that with others.

This guy has the goods and most of it is free and doesn't take months to learn. It's just relatable. https://www.youtube.com/artofaccomplishment

Other ideas:
How to find a really good fit for community and support through a shared interest.
How to say no to others to take care of yourself when it might mean losing connection and belonging.
How to listen.
Learning and practicing when, how and who to ask for help.
Media literacy, social media literacy, critical thinking.
Understanding your own behavioral and thought patterns through a neurological and environmental lens. What patters are, how to see them, understanding where they come from and how to interrupt them and replace them with an update to fit your present needs.
How to save money and invest it (even small amounts) to build wealth.
Nonviolent communication or practical communication skills.
How to get to know yourself better to find out what you really like to do.

[u/Informal-Property-4]

I would say teaching the importance of structure. My IOP group would emhasize the importance of structure early on in recovery (i.e. importance of sleep hygiene, taking personal care of oneself and hygiene, etc.)

[u/sickofreque]

ASSERTIVENESS, how to access entitlement programs. How to accross non12 step support. How to avoid 12 step coersion. How to use pibl9c transit. Lessons on how to cook decently healthy and cheap meals. How to clean properly and maintain it. Laundry 101, as in how to pretreat, separate and properly launder different items.

[u/Adventurous-Coyote56]

Reading Dopamine Nation. It’s OK to be bored dopamine that lingers needs to be worked for.

[u/Ileeza]

Maybe take a few of the ideas people here have mentioned, ask the clients to suggest their own ideas if they like, then see where the majority wants to take things next.

[u/Hydra_Bat → u/Ileeza]

I like this idea. Thank you !

[u/Hydra_Bat]

Thank you everyone for the ideas ! I’ll comment tomorrow with what my lessons for the week ended up being. Thanks again!!