9. Encourage participants to share feelings, discoveries, or self-understandings gained from the activity.
Observations
This activity was performed twice with groups of eight and ten members. Of those present, few had ever explored their own backgrounds in this manner. Qualities in addition to substance use that were discussed included musical ability, sickle cell disease, hypertension, family size, living to old age, and being accident prone. Participants responded with seriousness, and most stated that they expect to continue exploration into this aspect of their lives. One woman knew little of her biological family, had lived in foster homes, and charted a family of friends. Several of the participants required assistance in getting started with the chart development. Be prepared to provide comfort or grounding to those who start grieving loss of family or dysfunctional familial connections. It can be affirming to recognize that everyone does not come from a traditional family system.
Inspired by: The work of Monica McGoldrick, LCSW, PhD (h.c.), Director of the Multicultural Family Institute in Highland Park, New Jersey. This activity is superficial compared to her more serious works.
Family Tree HANDOUT
“Bear in mind that we have a wealth of ways of escaping that are normal.”
MILTON H. ERICKSON
Gratitude Books
Location: Indoors
Time: 60–90 minutes
Materials: Colored paper
Writing paper
Decorative or scrapbook paper
Card stock
Markers, pencils, or pens
Scissors
Glue
Stapler
Ribbons or strings
Optional: holiday template shapes
Objectives
• To have a positive thinking activity that could be used on holidays or times when clients tend to feel restless and discontent.
• To shift the focus from resentment in the twelve-step tradition to that of gratitude, counteracting self-pity and negative thinking.
Directions
1. Prepare a sample book in advance to show group.
2. Show group the sample book and explain the activity.
3. Discuss possible moments of gratitude in participants’ lives to include in their book.
4. Invite participants to choose materials from the available supplies. Any size or shape book of approximately six pages can be constructed from card stock and writing paper. It can be decorated with craft materials, recovery slogans, drawings, or collage materials. To tie it in to a particular holiday, you can use templates of shapes, such as hearts for Valentine’s Day, turkeys for Thanksgiving, and pumpkins for Halloween.
5. Once clients have completed their books, suggest they write about their moments of gratitude on the pages. If they wish, they can pass their books around for other people to write something positive or encouraging about them.
6. Encourage participants to share their finished products.
Observations
Everyone was enthusiastic about this simple activity. Often the activity took place on holiday weekends when regular programming was flexible. Participants were often reflective about missing their families and loved ones, and sometimes the longing for family prompted the impulse to consider leaving treatment early. This activity provided a useful and productive redirection that was engaging and affirming and enhanced twelve-step work.
Inspired by: Staff at the center where we worked always noted increases in depression, anxiety, and restlessness around holidays, and this activity was developed to address the issue.
This heart-shaped gratitude book that was passed around for encouraging comments from peers. One inscription reads, “For My Best friend!! I love you forever!!!” Another says, “You are so beautiful and so is your spirit!”
Human Bingo
Location: Indoors or Outdoors
Time: 15–20 minutes depending on number of participants
Materials: Human Bingo Handout (one per person)
Pen or pencil (one per person)
Small prizes for each win (candies, pens, stickers, or writing paper)
Objectives
• To promote healthy social skills and listening skills.
• To display the variety of talents and strengths of individuals.
Directions
1. Make copies of the Bingo cards. You may modify questions as needed.
2. Pass out the writing materials and the Bingo cards. A Bingo may depend on the size of the particular group. With a large number of people, you may ask that all squares be signed. Or, you may decide that any number of rows (diagonal, horizontal, vertical) may provide a win. Read the instructions aloud:
Find someone who has ever done or can do the thing described in each square.
Have this person sign the square.
Bingo wins!
Now go talk to each other!
Observations
This activity was done outside on a nice day and was an enjoyable warm-up. It was repeated at another type of rehabilitation center with equally positive results.
Inspired by: Icebreaker activities done in social work graduate school at the University of Texas at Arlington and the popularity of Bingo games in the treatment center.
Human Bingo HANDOUT
Find someone who has done these things and have him or her sign the square.
I Am: A Poem About Myself
Location: Indoors or Outdoors
Time: