Introduction (Read) - So often in substance use treatment we focus on all the harm caused by addiction. It is not unusual to discuss the damage caused by substance use and the consequences suffered by a pattern of addiction. This can be helpful because the desire to avoid future consequences can be very motivating. However, another important way to build motivation is to seriously consider how life without substance misuse can be so much better. Focusing on the positive aspects of lifestyle change can be extremely beneficial. This is the focus of this exercise.
Next - Start by
watching one of these two videos as a group. Both have a lot of the same
content. For this exercise, while watching the video, please focus primarily on
the part about “Rat Park” - After the video, the group will be
discussing the rat park experiment and making real life application
Choose one
of the following videos and watch as a group – (There is
a short or a long version):
Video
links:
Shorter – “Addiction”
– 5 minutes 41 seconds - - https://youtu.be/C8AHODc6phg
Longer – “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong” – 14 minutes 31 seconds - https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?language=en#t-862452
(Same video – YouTube
Version) - https://youtu.be/PY9DcIMGxMs
Process –
Discuss the following as a group:
What are
some aspects of the video you can identify with personally?
The part of
the video about “Rat Park” emphasizes the value of improving our surroundings
and our connections (our “cage”) as a positive way to escape addiction –
How do you think this can help with the recovery and positive change process
for you personally?
Improving
My “Cage”
(Improving my day-to-day lifestyle, my surroundings, my environment, and my connections)
Read: Obviously,
improving our surroundings, connections and overall lifestyle can be
challenging especially when you may have limited resources. Still, it is
important to set goals to have something to strive for even if things may be
difficult right now. Think about what is worth reaching out for
Next – Discuss as a group the following question: What do I need in order to improve my “cage”? (For example, consider your surroundings, connections, environment) – Keep your personal goals in mind. Be creative and open minded. The sky is the limit. Consider a wide range of key life areas such as: Family, social life, employment, education, health, meaning, purpose, etc.…
To improve: What do you need?
Keeping it Real
Read – Achieving
goals will take time and effort, but it is well worth it if your goals are
positive. Discuss the following:
From the
previous discussion question, pick one or two of your goals that you can start
working on today in order to improve your “cage”. Even if your actual goal may
seem a far way off, think about the smaller steps you can start moving forward
with. Think about:
What can I realistically
start doing right away?
Example –
Goal: “I want to be financially independent” – Maybe that this is
still a long way off (perhaps due to a lack stable housing and employment) –
Then a realistic goal may be “I can enroll in a Supported Employment
program to start getting help looking for a job which can be a start toward financial
independence. I can work with a case manager to find a more permanent housing
situation than my current boarding home I am living in”
Discuss as
a group some realistic things you can start doing to achieve your goals and
improve your cage
Closing
discussion question – How does it feel discussing these positive life goal for the
future? (Hopefully, it feels inspirational, encouraging, motivational, which is
the purpose of this exercise) – What is your plan to start making some of these
positive changes you have discussed?
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