Step‑by‑Step Session Tasks
Step 1: Open the session and check in with the group (approximately 5 minutes).
Step 2: Introduce the topic: Positive thinking (approximately 5 minutes).
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Explain the role that thoughts play in making decisions and taking action.
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Define maladaptive thoughts as those that are self-defeating and lead to
unhealthy decisions and behaviors.
Step 3: Notice and redirect maladaptive thoughts
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Introduce ways to notice and redirect maladaptive thoughts.
Step 4: Brainstorm and discuss examples of maladaptive thoughts
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Explain that some maladaptive thoughts result in negative emotions like
sadness, frustration, and anger, which lead to substance use; other types of
maladaptive thoughts can lead directly to substance use.
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Distribute “Examples of Maladaptive Thoughts” handout and discuss different
ways people can perceive situations.
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Ask clients to recall their last use and re-create the thoughts that precipitated
that use.
Step 5: Brainstorm and discuss ways to manage maladaptive thoughts
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Have members recall times when they “let go” or ignored a thought that could
have resulted in substance use and write these suggestions on the whiteboard
or flipchart.
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Review the strategies for managing maladaptive thoughts at the bottom of
Handout A/M-11.1.
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Discuss the examples of challenging and changing maladaptive thoughts in
Handout A/M-11.2.
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Ask clients to write down their personal tools for managing their thoughts (see
Handout A/M-11.3).
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Discuss the group’s examples.
Step 6: Close the session
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Summarize the session and check in with group members.
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Ask clients to begin noticing their thoughts and to practice managing thoughts
that could lead to substance use.