1. Experiential Approaches
Steve Hanson
Director, Bureau of Addiction Treatment Centers
NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

2. Does this work for everyone?

3. Learning Styles People learn by watching People learn by hearing
People learn by reading
People learn by doing

4. Experiential Activities
Encourage neurochemical recovery
Allow the client to experience the feelings, solutions, and outcomes.
Can be fun
Practice the behavior
Team Building – Support for Drug Court Participants
Problem Solving – must think through

5. Think of the issues for two people
New Participant
Recovery – it’s not what I’m used to.
I’ll do it my way
I don’t trust these people
Needs to learn new skills
New Prosecutor
Drug Court – it’s not what I’m used to.
I’ll do it my way
I don’t trust these people
Needs to learn new skills

6. Traditional “Talk” Therapy
Individual/Group sessions
Talk about “issues”
“Talking the Talk”
An “artificial” environment
Can be dominated by certain members
Some people don’t talk

7. Lectures/Movies Used to present information –important
Less interaction – passive
Retention issues – particularly in early recovery
Application issues – can you do it after hearing/watching it?

8. Experiential Approaches
Everyone participates
Does not require great verbal skills
Participants must think through problems
Experience whether their solutions work.
Fun and energizing

9. Concepts Trust Thinking “out of their box”
“My way isn’t working so well”
Communication
Following directions
Listening
“I could use some help”

10. Experiential Activities
Role Plays – what scenarios will folks face
Paper exercises
“Game Shows” – Recovery Jeopardy
Exercises
Ropes Course

11. O E O L O N R D N Y W

12. Role Plays Who will I have to say no to?
“The Bad Day” with a Greek Chorus
My last relapse
Dealing with triggers
Benefits – think through situations, practice the behavior

13. THE BAD DAY PARTICIPANT BOSS SIGNIFICANT OTHER DEALER/FRIEND
CHORUS – 5 MEMBERS

14. Exercises Activities designed to elicit feelings Learning moments
Use different props – cheap
Fun to do.
Watch the participants – their issues will be right in front of you.

15. Ropes Courses Low elements High elements Group problem solving
Doing things you never thought you could do.
Fun without drugs
Look for colleges with recreation therapy programs