When clients are ready to overcome addiction, there are many strategies. However, one way to work toward recovery is through family therapy. Knowing what to expect from family therapy activities can help you and your family members feel more confident from the start. Moreover, explore some of the activities that might be a part of family therapy during or after rehab.

Role-Playing Activities

Sometimes, family communication breaks down because it’s hard to understand what the other person is going through. For example, a client struggling with addiction wants to get sober, and they might not understand why their family can’t be more help. The family members, on the other hand, might not know how best to help. Therefore, everyone involved might be having a challenging time which negatively impacts the addiction.

Role-playing activities are common in family therapy. Additionally, participants can take turns pretending to be someone else in their family. They can then act or discuss how they would like that family member to respond in certain situations. This showcases the challenge that loved ones deal with, and it can foster better relationships along the way.

Playing Toss-and-Talk

In some families, no one is comfortable opening up and talking. However, in other families, it can be difficult to get a word in! In either situation, playing toss-and-talk with a soft ball can help.

Specifically, toss-and-talk is a game where only the person holding the ball is able to speak. A person will catch the ball, respond to a previous comment, and then toss it to someone new. This forces everyone to listen closely and give the speaker their full attention.

Writing Letters to Loved Ones

It’s common for those struggling with addiction to have a hard time opening up to their family members. Even when there is plenty of love involved, vocalizing it can be tough. However, one of the most common family therapy activities that encourages communication is letter writing.

Clients can write letters to their loved ones. Often, this is easier than saying the words aloud. It may be easier to express yourself in the written word.

Communicating With a “Translator”

Another exercise that is helpful in family therapy is using a therapist or counselor as a translator. One person speaks, and then the translator rephrases what was said and repeats it to the other person. In this way, there are no miscommunication issues. Sometimes, hearing something from a third party makes it easier to understand and appreciate.

Other Types of Addiction Therapy

“Therapy” can be a scary word. Generally, the first thought of therapy usually includes a one-on-one with a therapist who analyzes thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. Here at Crestview, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are many therapies that not only involve other techniques like the typical individual therapy protocol but other patients going through similar situations as well. 

A very common type of similar therapy to individual therapy that involves others is group therapy. This simply means other individuals who are going through similar situations and addictions join together into a group. They each take turns telling their own version of the hardships they have faced and what they believe made them turn to a substance to try to mask the effects of everyday life. By listening and sharing stories, each struggling addict can find comfort in the fact that they are not alone in their situations.

Another group setting therapy we commonly use at CVRC is the holistic approach to therapy. This can include anything from yoga classes to acupuncture to even meditation and spiritual guidance. We allow our patients to form healthy minds and lifestyles that are based on their new hobbies and interests we hope to spark through these programs. After rehab is completed, our goal is that they take them with them into their everyday lives.

One last group type of therapy we put a large emphasis on at our facilities is gender-specific therapy. When women get together with other women and men get together with other men, we find that our patients generally recover faster. Often, people do well when they’re surrounded by like-minded individuals. They’re also more likely to be vulnerable around the same gender. 

Supplementing Family Therapy Activities With Rehab

In fact, family therapy is just one part of comprehensive rehab treatment. At Crest View Recovery Center, clients can expect family therapy along with a long list of additional treatment methods. For example, some of those methods may include:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Nutritional Counseling
• Reality based therapy

Addiction therapy can include family, individual, and group therapy sessions. At Crest View Recovery Center in Asheville, North Carolina, clients can access a range of resources designed to encourage recovery. Fight for your sobriety once and for all by calling 866-327-2505 today.