| Introduce topic by describing, activity name, content standard, and objectives. Start the session by asking the following questions: -When we have serious problems, what specific actions do we take to cope with those issues? Let us focus on the healthy actions first. Make a list of what is shared with group. (talk to a friend, exercise, go to church, etc) Inform the participants that the reason we need to discuss these actions is because many times, when we have problems and we are stressed, many of us try to solve or avoid problems by drinking or taking drugs. Add that many times, serious problems come before we begin abusing alcohol and other drugs, but many times is the opposite; we abuse alcohol and then problems start piling up. Tell the participants that we will focus on identifying skills to avoid using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Discuss how most of us, in our adult life and on occasion, have problems that seemed to come all at once. However, there are individuals who seemed to manage their problems without the use of substance abuse. Many of them have specific rituals that we want to discuss today. Add that writer, Brian Tracy, says there are beneficial habits or rituals for the morning that help increase productivity and cope with any obstacles during the day. Tell the participants they will watch a video where Brian Tracy mentions these habits. Ask the participants to pay attention to those habits and to identify at least two of them. After watching the video, ask the participants the following questions: -What are some of the daily morning habits that people can practice? -Can these habits help someone who has substance abuse problems? How? -Ask the participants if they can share some of their own healthy habits? Now ask, can these habits help us cope with extenuating circumstances?(money problems, unemployment, illness, death, etc.) How? Make sure that it is analyzed how good habits can assist us in dealing with difficult situations. As a final activity, ask participants to identify at least two healthy habits that could help us cut down or avoiding drinking problems in the future. Is it possible? If not why not? |