Relapse Prevention Group Handouts

1 T H E M A T R I X M O D E L. B. Relapse Prevention Group Handouts I N T E N S I V E O U T PAT I E N T. A L C O H O L & D R U G T R E AT M E N T. A 16 -Week Individualized Program Richard A. Rawson, , Jeanne L. Obert, , , Michael J. McCann, , and Walter Ling, HAZELDEN.. Hazelden Center City, Minnesota 55012-0176. 1-800-328-9000. 1-651-213-4590 (Fax). 2005 by Matrix Institute All rights reserved. Published 2005. Printed in the United States of America Duplicating these Handouts for personal or Group use is permissible The Matrix Model is a registered trademark of the Matrix Institute.

2 B. Relapse Prevention Group Handouts DATE. COMPLETED. Session 1. _____ Handout 1: Alcohol: The Legal Drug .. 1. Session 2. _____ Handout 2: Boredom .. 5. Session 3. _____ Handout 3A: Avoiding Relapse Drift .. 7. _____ Handout 3B: Mooring Lines Recovery Chart .. 9. Session 4. _____ Handout 4: Work and Recovery .. 11. Session 5. _____ Handout 5: Guilt and Shame .. 13. Session 6. _____ Handout 6: Staying Busy .. 15. Session 7. _____ Handout 7: Motivation for Recovery .. 17. Session 8. _____ Handout 8: Truthfulness .. 19. Session 9.

3 _____ Handout 9: Total Abstinence .. 21. Session 10. _____ Handout 10: Sex and Recovery .. 23. Session 11. _____ Handout 11: Relapse Prevention .. 25. continued iii Relapse Prevention Group Handouts DATE. COMPLETED. Session 12. _____ Handout 12: Trust .. 27. Session 13. _____ Handout 13: Be Smart, Not Strong .. 29. Session 14. _____ Handout 14: Defining Spirituality .. 31. Session 15. _____ Handout 15: Taking Care of Business and Managing Money .. 33. Session 16. _____ Handout 16: Relapse Justification I .. 37. Session 17.

4 _____ Handout 17: Taking Care of Yourself .. 39. Session 18. _____ Handout 18: Dangerous Emotions .. 41. Session 19. _____ Handout 19: Illness .. 43. Session 20. _____ Handout 20: Recognizing Stress .. 45. Session 21. _____ Handout 21: Relapse Justification II .. 47. Session 22. _____ Handout 22: Reducing Stress .. 49. Session 23. _____ Handout 23: Managing Anger .. 51. continued iv Relapse Prevention Group Handouts DATE. COMPLETED. Session 24. _____ Handout 24: Acceptance .. 53. Session 25. _____ Handout 25: Making New Friends.

5 55. Session 26. _____ Handout 26: Repairing Relationships .. 57. Session 27. _____ Handout 27: Serenity Prayer .. 59. Session 28. _____ Handout 28: Compulsive Behavior .. 61. Session 29. _____ Handout 29: Dealing with Feelings and Depression .. 65. Session 30. _____ Handout 30: Twelve Step Programs (or Other Spiritual Groups) .. 69. Session 31. _____ Handout 31: Looking Forward: Dealing with Downtime .. 71. Session 32. _____ Handout 32: One Day at a Time .. 73. Session 33 (Optional). _____ Handout 33: Recreational Activities.

6 75. _____ Handout 34: Holidays and Recovery .. 77.. v Handout 1 Relapse Prevention Group Alcohol: The Legal Drug It is often difficult for patients to stop drinking when they enter treatment. Some of the reasons for this include the following: 1. Triggers for alcohol use are everywhere. It is sometimes hard to do anything social without facing people who are drinking. Do you have friends who get together without drinking? If so, write their names here. _____. _____. 2. Many people use alcohol in response to internal triggers.

7 Depression and anxiety seem to go away when people have a drink. It's difficult for them to realize that sometimes the alcohol causes the depression. Does feeling a certain way make you want to have a drink? Explain. _____. _____. 3. If a person is addicted to an illicit drug and uses alcohol less often, alcohol may not be viewed as a problem. The problem isn't recognized until the person tries to stop drinking. Have you been able to stop drinking since you entered treatment? Explain. _____. _____. 4. Alcohol affects the rational, thinking part of the brain.

8 It is hard to think reasonably about a drug that makes thinking clearly more difficult. Have you ever been sober at a party and watched people drink and get stupid ? If so, describe the experience. _____. _____. 1 continued on other side Handout 1 Relapse Prevention Group Page 2 of 3. ALCOHOL: THE LEGAL DRUG continued 5. Because alcohol dulls the rational brain, it promotes less controlled activity in the lower brain. This results in alcohol helping people become more sexual, less self- conscious, and more social. When you are used to using alcohol to increase sexual pleasure and help you socialize, these activities feel uncomfortable without it.

9 Do you depend on alcohol for sexual or social reasons? Explain. _____. _____. _____. 6. Many of us grow up using alcohol to mark special occasions. It is hard to learn how to celebrate those times without drinking. What special occasions did your family celebrate with alcohol? _____. _____. _____. How do you celebrate now? _____. _____. _____. 7. In many families and social groups, drinking is a sign of strength, of being with it, or of being sophisticated. Our culture encourages drinking. Do you feel less with it when you are not drinking?

10 Explain. _____. _____. _____. 2. Handout 1 Relapse Prevention Group Page 3 of 3. ALCOHOL: THE LEGAL DRUG. 8. The habit of drinking gets to be part of certain activities. It seems difficult, at first, to eat certain foods, go to sporting events, or relax without a beer or other drink. What activities seem to go with drinking for you? _____. _____. _____.. It is important to remember that everyone who stops drinking has these problems at first. As you work through the difficult situations and spend more time sober, it does get easier.