EDI programming focuses on the development of critical life skills to help individuals to achieve sustainable recovery and personal growth. Our life skills groups include daily meditation, Recovery 101, and other psycho education groups focusing on topics such as interpersonal skills, job readiness, resume writing, health and wellness, anger management, boundaries, relapse prevention, spirituality, and mindfulness.
Daily Meditation
Monday – Sunday
Morning meditation is a quick meditation that will relax you and give you a boost of positive energy. It’s a fantastic way to start your day with a smile on your face. There is a short read on a recovery topic and positive affirmations from staff and others in recovery to bring about a calm and happy mindset. During meditation a group discussion takes place in reference to the recovery-based reading of the day. People are encouraged to share their ideas on the reading, maintaining respect and confidentiality throughout the process. Sometimes all it takes to have a good day is a small shift in your morning thinking. If you start the day in a good mood with a positive outlook, you’re more likely to enjoy the whole day ahead.
Recovery 101
Recovery 101 covers several different topics: the first three steps, boundaries, self-esteem, poetry, and music therapy. This group covers goals and steps toward achieving those goals.
Monday – Friday
Recovery 101’s daily programming is based on finding member’s distress tolerance, teaching coping skill integration, and how to rationally debate ideas. Recovery is foundational in promoting change in residents. The group challenges individual residents to think differently which allows them to live differently. Recovery 101 is a topic-driven group on areas such as budgeting, life skills, confidentiality, and more. This group routinely includes readings, worksheets, and group work. Recovery 101 outlines many ways (clinical, non-clinical, and self-management) in which individuals with substance use disorders can engage in a process of recovery-related change.
Recovery 102
Recovery 102 is a more advanced form of group therapy that is designed to address the full spectrum of substance use problems with the understanding the recovery pathway is highly personalized. It is meaningful daily activity that address topics such as, self-care practices, family involvement, housing and transportation needs, employment, and clinical treatment for mental disorders among many other topics. Through education and recovery-oriented activities, residents learn how to prevent inappropriate substance use. Residents are empowered and provided the resources to make informed decisions, maintain recovery, build on their identified strengths, and regain control over their lives. With the assistance of this group, individuals define their own life goals and design their unique pathway of recovery.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse Prevention Workshop is a 6-week program. During the course of these 6 consecutive weeks the program goes over the differences between being drug and alcohol free verses being in recovery. Identifying Internal, external and sensory triggers as well as warning signs. The correlation with relationships and relapse. How to create Healthy Habits. Review your relationships, triggers, habits and identify high risk situations. Finally develop your own relapse prevention plan.
Employment and Job Readiness
Though EDI does not conduct Job readiness programs we prepare our residents to participate with the R3 and BCPS employment programs which assist individuals with becoming economically self-sufficient. Usually, residents with low or no income, who have been incarcerated or have prior involvement with the legal system benefit well from the programs. These groups work to empower individuals to take care of themselves and their families by developing the skills needed to find and keep a job. Individuals participate in an employment group and are given vocational assistance, on the job training, and job reediness skill training (resume writing, interview skills, etc.) for approximately 8 weeks.
Anger Management
Anger management group can assist residents in learning new and more productive responses to anger that allow them to regain control of their life and relationships. Residents learn how to recognize early signs of anger and how to better respond when anger strikes, allowing the ability to deal with negative situations in a more positive way. Managing anger well is a learned behavior, requiring practice and persistence. During the group, personal stories of failures and successes are shared along with better ways of managing difficult situations. The following are a few topics and coping skills taught during the Anger management group.
- Be Self-Aware
- Slow Down
- Change Your Way of Thinking
- Dig Deeper
- Make it Humorous
- Take a Moment
- Make Changes
- Acknowledge the Gains of Anger
Mindfulness Group
Mindfulness Stress Based Reduction group is designed to give clients another tool to aide them in their recovery journey. Mindfulness has been shown to be highly effective in everything from pain management to stress relief. Similar to how addiction rewires the nephropathy in the brain, so does a daily practice of mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness is based on Buddhist principles of the eightfold path of right living. You do not need to be Buddhist to do this group. And you can have any higher power of your choice, or even no higher power to engage in this group.
This group is 6 weeks and focuses on identifying your spiritual self versus your addict self.
It starts with activities that highlight for the individuals our automatic pilot in our brain and how powerful our mind is…just by eating some candy. There are practical stop and think activities as well as planned mindful moments.
It offers a daily homework workbook for the clients to practice between sessions.
I often tell individuals to keep an open mind and they may just end up with another extremely powerful tool in their recovery toolbox.
Comments from previous clients that attended these groups.
Boundaries
The objective of this group is to connect problem solving skills with cognitive self-change. It allows group members to have a concrete process for self-awareness. This process is aimed at uncovering risky thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and beliefs. It is taught by using the simple principle that thinking controls behavior and to change behavior we must change our thinking. In turn this can help create more healthy boundaries between us, our family and peers.
Wellness Classes and Groups
Nutrition Basics Class covers general nutritional and kitchen knowledge. Important food safety such as proper storage, preparation and temperatures. Residents are shown how to plan a meal, a weekly menu, and a shopping list. Going over budgeting, shopping, and making better nutritional choices.
Financial Wellness Class provides education about the basics of banking, credit. and budgeting. Residents build a budget tailored to their needs. They learn about saving and goals. The class teaches about good and bad debt, positives and negatives of credit cards, and safe practices to prevent identity theft. Residents get assistance locating reports that effect their financial health such as credit reports and banking reports that may prevent them from opening bank accounts, credit cards, utility services or obtaining housing.
Wellness groups include yoga, and paddle boarding. These activities help manage and relieve anxiety, stress, and depression. Getting out as a group to enjoy yoga or paddle boarding helps build a community and improves ones overall well being.