The
Struggle is Real – This
activity is focused on identifying and the strategizing ways to overcome the
things that are giving you the most trouble in your personal positive change
process.
Directions: If you are more advanced in your
recovery and you are doing well then for this exercise, look back at some of
your past struggles and consider some of them. If you are someone who is still
struggling sometimes now, then try to identify a few areas from the list below that
are particularly tough for you when it comes to managing substance use
disorders
As a group,
review and discuss these examples of some typical challenging areas in substance
use recovery. When the group is done discussing this list make sure to allow
everyone in the group an opportunity to identify and process some of their own ideas
about areas of struggle
Do you now or have you in the past ever had
a difficult time with any of the following…
Getting past a certain point without relapsing (If so, when does
that usually happen for you?)
Cravings
Sleep problems (insomnia/hypersomnia?)
Mental health
o
Depression
o
Anxiety
o
Mood swings
o
Eating disorder
o
Trauma/PTSD
o
Other mental health issue- Which one?
Physical Health
o
Coping with physical pain
o
Physical disability
o
Chronic health problem (If so which one?)
Relationships/Social
o
Difficult finding positive friends and/or staying away from
negative ones
o
Poor choices in romantic relationships
Attitude/Negative Thinking/Difficult Feelings
o
Overconfidence/Cockiness
o
Indifference – (Stop caring and give up- “What’s the point?” or
“Who Cares?”)
o
Resentments/Anger leads to relapse
o
Bored with drug free life
o
Loneliness
o
Complacency
o
Maintaining balance/Becoming overwhelmed with responsibilities
o
Return of denial – “I can control it this time” or “Once more
won’t hurt”
o
Giving yourself permission – “I deserve a reward”- then use
Cross Addiction – (For example moving from drugs to alcohol or to gambling
or compulsive sex, etc.)
Other – What else that has not been discussed is a struggle for you or
was a past struggle for you?
Closing Process
Questions:
1.
Are you willing to share with the group the next time that you may
be struggling? Why or why not?
2. What have
people told you to do and what have you tried when it comes to getting through
tough times?
3.
What do you know for sure helps you?
4.
What have you not tried but you think may be helpful with successfully
managing areas of struggle?
My Plan to
Survive Areas of Struggle: Review and discuss the following:
How can this group help me to survive
challenges?
What can I start to do now to be prepared
for times of struggle?
Specific Struggle Survival Plan: If I am
having a hard time, I will… (Be specific and realistic with your plan)
1
2
3
One thing that I am willing to consider
trying which I have not tried or resisted in the past is:
I will stay motivated to overcome times of
struggle without giving up or giving in by…
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