Intro – This activity features questions
for group discussion with a focus on opening up about childhood and family
issues. Questions are arranged in a timeline format starting with birth then
continuing chronologically to the present. Because some issues can be
sensitive, group members are encouraged to be open and try to share what they
can but to also make sure not to share more than they are comfortable with at
this time in their recovery. The group activity ends with a discussion on
coping in the present and the future, as well as some discussion about
involving family members in treatment if possible
Directions – As a group, discuss the
following timeline questions about childhood and family, in order. (The age
groups listed are just guidelines.) When
doing this activity with adolescent groups, do Parts 1, 2 and 3, then switch to
the Adolescent Specific questions in Parts 4 and 5
Part 1 – Birth through Early
Childhood (Up until about age 6)
· What can you remember about this
time period in your life?
· What kinds of thoughts and emotions
come to mind about this time period in your life?
· What kinds of things from this time
period related to your family, may have impacted who you are today?
Part 2 – Middle Childhood (Approx. age
7-12)
· What kind of kid were you during
this time period? (What were some of your likes, dislikes and personality traits?)
· How was the transition to school
for you?
· What was family life like during
this time period?
Part 3 – Adolescence (Age 12-18)
· What roles did you experiment with
in adolescence and where did you eventually find yourself?
· How did you do socially and in
school? (For SUD groups, how did substance use play a role?)
· How did you family react to you as
an adolescent and how did you react to your family?
Part 4 – Early
Adulthood (Approx. age 19 through early/mid 20’s)
· What became your areas of focus in
early adulthood?
o For Adolescents – What do you plan on focusing on
in early adulthood?
· What was this time period like for
you mentally and emotionally? (For SUD groups how was your SUD use patterns and
related behaviors?)
o For Adolescents – How do you feel about the near
future period of young adulthood coming up soon in your life?
· As an early adult, how did your
relationships with family go (How has family helped and hurt)?
o For Adolescents – What kind of relationship do you
want to have with your family as an adult?
Part 5 –
Adulthood to the present
· What are some key factors and
events that guided your course of adulthood? (For SUD groups discuss substance
use and mental health)
o
For
Adolescents - What do
you think will be helpful for you in your future journey through adulthood?
· What lessons have you learned about
coping and surviving as an adult?
o
For
Adolescents - As a
grown-up with adult responsibilities, how do you plan to survive and cope?
· As an adult how have your
relationships with family changed, evolved, or improved?
o
For
Adolescents – What kind of family (if any) do
you plan on having?
Closing Discussion - Considerations
for the Present and the Future
· Is your family involved in your recovery?
(If you are in treatment, are they involved in your treatment?) – Why or why
not? What may be holding you back?
·
What
would it take for you to increase your family involvement in your recovery?
(If this activity is being done at a treatment center, this could be a good
time to discuss what family services your program offers and discuss some of
the potential benefits of these family treatment and support services)
· Looking to the future – After all that has been
discussed today, what are some of the things that you have learned (either good
or bad, things to do and things not to do) that you can use to help make your
current and future family life successful and happy?
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