This workshop is designed to help recovering substance abusers prevent relapse by building resilience. It focuses on developing mindfulness, self-esteem, happiness, gratitude, and supporting others. The workshop consists of 4 topics: 1) using mindfulness to cope with strong emotions and cravings, 2) cultivating happiness and gratitude to build resilience, 3) increasing self-esteem through positive self-talk, and 4) caring for others to boost well-being. Activities include meditation, journaling, and volunteering. The goal is to equip participants with skills to manage stress and recovery without turning to substances.

1. Assignment3.2Prevention/WellnessProject
JenniferRastetter
CNS771 BG
05/30/2015
Relapse Prevention Strategies for Recovering Substance Abusers Based on Resilience
Thisis a workshop designedforadultsubstance abusersthathave beenthrougharecovery
program andnow wouldlike additionalassistanceinrelapse preventionstrategies. Resilience isdefined
as the capacity to recoverquicklyfromstressoradversity.Manyof those that sufferfromsubstance
abuse problemshave aloweredtolerance forstressfulsituations,lackproblemsolvingskillsandhave
little hope forthemselvesinthe future. Becauseresilience canbe developedovertime the activitiesin
thisworkshopwill focusonwaystobuildresilience. These are some thingsthatcandone inadditionto
the environmental protective factorsthatapersoninrecoveryshouldideallyhave,includingasocial
supportnetworkof friends,familyorco-workers.Inadditionasupportgroupis also recommended to
preventrelapse.Inordertofosterbuildingresiliencewiththispopulationthisworkshopwill focuson
mindfulnessandstressrelief,self-esteem, happiness andgratitude andfinallysupportingof others.
These are all additional protectivefactorsinpreventingrelapse.
Topic One: How Can We Build Resilience through Mindfulness?
Goal:To increase the abilitytodeal withintense feelingsandemotionsastheycome upand
thusdeal more easilywithcravingstohelpavoidrelapse.
Objectives:One factorthat adds to buildingresilience isthe abilityto cope withstrongfeelings
or emotions. One waytocope withthese feelingsistouse mindfulness. Copingwithstressin
healthywaysandavoidingharmful copingstrategies,suchassubstance abuse.
Methods:Discussas a group the followingtopics:
1.) What ismindfulness?
2.) What are some waysto practice mindfulness?
3.) In whatwayscan mindfulnesshelpme toavoidrelapse?Eachgroupmembergive specific
examples.Somethinglike a“I know a craving onlylastsfor sixtyseconds,soif Ican be
presentwiththatuncomfortable feelingIknow itwill goaway inone minute.”
4.) What are some otherwaysI can relax instressful situations?
Group exercise BodyScan-Scanthe bodyslowlyfirstupthendownnoticinganysensations,hot,
cold,pressure,painortinglingetc.,until eachbodyparthas been“scanned”.
RelaxationTechniques-Stayingwiththe bodyscantheme progressive muscle relationwill be
taught.
End the sessionwiththe mantra:Withchange comesopportunity!
Topic Two: How does HappinessandGratitude WorkwithResilience?

2. Goal:To helpworkshopparticipantsbuildresilience andlessenchancesforrelapse through
happinessandgratitude. Tohelpparticipantsgainknowledge of how touse these emotions
effectivelyinmanagingtheirrecovery.
Objectives: To learnabouthappinessandhow toachieve it.To learnabouthow to
demonstrate gratitude inourlives.
Methods:The participantsshoulddiscussthingsthatmake themhappy,tryingtoavoidexternal
rewardsthat include temporaryemotional feedbacklike promotionsoragamblingwin.
1.) What are some thingsthatmake you happyor bringyoujoy?
2.) What are some thingsorpeople youare grateful for?
3.) What are some waysinwhichyoucan demonstrate yourgratitude?
Participantswill be givenahandoutonbuildinghappinessandkeepingagratitude journal.
To endthisactivityeveryone will practice showinggratitude bytaking asort gratitude walkand
whenbackdescribingone thingtheynoticedandappreciatedwhile out.
Topic Three: HowCan We Increase Self-Esteem?
Goal:To helpparticipantsbuildself-esteemduringworkshopandcontinue workingonbuilding
self-esteemwhentheyleave.
Objectives:To helpparticipantsgainamore positive view of self andconfidence intheir
strengthsandabilities whichwillhelp themmaintainasoberlifestyle. Familymemberscanhave
a negative impactwithoutmeaningtoowhentheydonotallow the participanttoheal.They
may feel guiltorshame associatedwiththe addiction, theymightfeelweak,embarrassedor
angry.To change thisdynamicto a more positive one participantswilldiscusswaystoincrease
self-esteem.
Methods:The participantswill discusswaysinwhichself-esteemcanbe improved.Thiscanbe
intrinsicaswell asfromfamilymembersandsocial supports.
1.) How hasyour familyhelpedorharmedyour self-esteemsince recovery?
2.) What can you doto helpyourfamilyorfriendsunderstandhow youfeel?
3.) What issomethingyoudidwell today?
4.) What issomethingyouaccomplishedthisweek?
Take home activityforadditional learningandgrowth:a handoutof a self-esteemjournal tobe
filledoutforatleastone week.
To endthissessioneachpersonwill saytheirname anda positive attribute of the same letteras
the firstletterof theirname.
Topic Four: How to Build Resilience throughCaringforandSupportingof Others.
Goal:To increase happiness,self-esteemandresilience by caringforandsupportingothers.
Objectives:Tohelpparticipantsidentifythe following;inthe mostbasicformcaring forothers
can beginat home or withfriendsoranyone else inyoursocial supportsystem, insome ways

3. caring foreach otherisachievedbyattendingsupportgroups,andextendingthisideaintothe
realmof actual supportingof otherscan be highlybeneficial foravoidingrelapse.
Methods:The participantswill discusswaystosupportandcare for eachotherand additional
groupsof people.
1.) How can I showsupportfor othersinrecovery?
2.) What else canI do to showsupportfor others?
3.) How mightvolunteeringimpactmylife?
Discusswaysto volunteerinandoutof the recoveryrealm.Some maybe interestedIbeinga
“sponsor”type supportperson,some maywantto work inan animal shelter.
End sessionincircle sayingserenityprayertogether.
Resourceson the Web:
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/07/18/5-ways-to-avoid-addiction-relapse/
http://www.recovery.org/topics/relapse-prevention-and-healthy-living/
https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/alcohol-and-substance-abuse-relapse-prevention/
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/resilience/what-resilience

4. References:
Newsome,D.W.& Gladding,S.T. (2014). Clinical mental healthcounselingincommunityandagency
settings. Boston: Pearson.
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/resilience/what-resilience
https://sites.google.com/site/bangorrecovery/recovery-and-resiliency
www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arcr344/506-515.htm
PI Feedback:
Jennifer,
Excellent,excellentproject!!Thisis one of the bestI've read since I've beena PI!Your approach is
compassionate and insightful.Ican tell that you have a very good understandingof how to build
resilience,andofwhat this populationcouldbenefitfrom.Your natural intuitionshinesthrough!Your
paper is also verywell-organizedandwell-written.I've attachedyour paper with comments.Bravo!
Maggie