Families & Supporters in Recovery / GRP619
Listening to Different Experiences — Cooperative Planning Workshop
Practice acknowledging that a member and a supporter may experience recovery differently.
40 minutes · 3–10 people · Adults with trained group facilitation
Facilitator PDF · Fillable participant PDF · Open activity / add to session
UNDERSTAND THE IDEA
Supporters need choice, information, and limits too.
A supporter can care about someone while maintaining boundaries about money, space, time, or behavior. A useful request distinguishes what help is wanted from what the supporter can freely offer. Neither person controls the other's recovery.
Facilitation lens: Include consent and a realistic backup. Do not assign family members a surveillance role or require joint work when safety is uncertain.
Explore the conceptual background · Broad background, not validation of this original exercise.
Try a different interactive experience in the Activity Lab →
Fictional example
One person values privacy while another seeks reassurance.
Open with choice — 3 minutes
Explain the purpose, privacy limits, and the option to observe, use fiction, adapt, or pass. Check access needs and group readiness; do not promise absolute confidentiality.
Meet the fictional case — 4 minutes
One person values privacy while another seeks reassurance. Ask what is known, what is assumed, and what the person in the case wants.
Practice: Planning workshop — 26 minutes
Practice acknowledging that a member and a supporter may experience recovery differently. In pairs or small groups, create two possible plans for the fictional case. Compare access, effort, likely tradeoffs, and consent. Choose one reversible trial with a backup and a review point; allow an observing role.
Reflect and compare — 4 minutes
What can be understood without forcing agreement? Ask what fits, what does not, and what external conditions or supports affect the options. No personal disclosure is required.
Close and integrate — 3 minutes
Invite an optional observation, support request, or small next step. Passing is welcome. Agree how to revisit questions and seek appropriate help outside the exercise.
Practice output
A feasible plan with a support, a backup, and a review question.
Scope and adaptation
Use ordinary or fictional examples, not graphic substance-use stories or cue exposure. No competitive abstinence scoring, forced disclosure, or required pathway. These plans do not manage intoxication, overdose, withdrawal, or medication changes; follow individualized care and appropriate medical assessment. Joint exercises are unsuitable where coercion, violence, fear, or retaliation may be present; arrange private clinical assessment and appropriate support.
Offer reading aloud, typing, drawing, pointing, or observation. Avoid mandatory movement, eye contact, touch, and body focus.
Original AI-assisted educational draft; independent clinical review pending.
Conceptual background
References inform broad principles and do not validate or endorse this original plan.