Narrative therapy is one of the most unique and powerful psychotherapies for people undergoing substance abuse treatment. Narrative therapy exercises can help people take back control of their life, positioning them back in power and allowing them to write the story of their life that they want. But how can narrative therapy specifically help people dealing with addiction? Is it the right treatment for you? Here are some narrative therapy exercises that can help anyone at any stage of recovery achieve long-term sobriety and begin their healing journey.
What is Narrative Therapy?
A team of social workers and psychotherapists, David Epston and Michael White, began the journey of bringing narrative therapy to the forefront of treatment in the 1980s. Their narrative therapy approach is based on the idea that our lives are not intertwined with our problems.
Instead, narrative therapy helps people start to view problems as separate entities that can be controlled. Problems are not the end all be all for our lives. They are distinct and can be solved by taking a new approach outside of someone’s perspective.
Narrative Therapy Exercises For Addiction
The beautiful thing about narrative therapy is that there is no single approach or method. While the ultimate goal of narrative therapy is to help people take control of their life story, the process of doing so has been described as almost like lighting a fire. What might start off a small spark of realization can quickly ignite into a passionate flame that leads to long-term change and healing.
Narrative therapy exercises can also take on small and big forms, and can be done individually or in a group setting. Here are some examples of narrative therapy exercises that can help during addiction recovery.
Understanding the Root of Addiction Through Storytelling
The process of sharing the first instance of addiction can be incredibly challenging, but it can also be freeing. It allows people to identify the root cause of their struggles and begin to separate themselves from their addiction (the problem).
Through this exercise, individuals can see how certain events or beliefs may have shaped their addictive behaviors and begin to challenge them. For instance, someone might recognize that it was their need to self-medicate for mental health issues that led to their addiction, rather than a lack of willpower or moral character. This exercise puts the addiction into perspective, making it the problem that must be solved, rather than having the person be the problem themselves.
Externalize the Problem
The next big step in the narrative therapy process is to begin externalizing our problems. Narrative therapy exercises in this case can include:
- Giving problems (such as addiction or mental health issues) an outside name or identity, such as calling addiction “the beast” or anxiety “the storm”. This helps individuals separate themselves from their problems and see them as something outside of themselves that can be defeated.
- Drawing or creating visual representations of the problem and its effects, which can be powerful tools for externalizing and processing emotions related to addiction recovery.
- Identifying where in their life this outside problem arose, and identifying ways in which it has impacted their life and relationships.
By externalizing the problem, individuals can begin to see themselves as separate from their addiction or mental health issues. This allows them to take on a more proactive role in addressing and overcoming these challenges.
Deconstruct the Problem
Addiction can be incredibly complicated to recover from. However, this doesn’t mean people shouldn’t try. On the contrary, narrative therapy exercises also include deconstructing a problem once it is externalized. For instance, if someone can now identify that addiction is an outside problem that needs to be tackled, deconstructing it might include:
- Detoxing from substances
- Enrolling in inpatient treatment
- Getting proper mental health support
- Finding new hobbies and interests to replace the addictive behavior
- Engaging in outpatient treatment
The more you can deconstruct a problem, the more you can find solutions that allow you to celebrate small victories. Deconstruction also helps people set realistic goals during recovery.
Look For Positive Outcomes
Whether you finally acknowledge your addiction is separate from you, can now see it more clearly, or have been able to find a solution that works – don’t just stop there. In narrative therapy, the focus is on finding positive outcomes and celebrating them. This can be something as simple as recognizing when you’ve successfully refrained from using a substance for a week or completing a therapy session without giving in to negative thoughts.
By focusing on and celebrating these positive outcomes, individuals can build their self-esteem and confidence, making it easier to continue with their recovery journey. It also allows them to view themselves as capable of overcoming challenges rather than being defined by their addiction or mental health issues.
Rewrite Your Story Today
Narrative therapy aims to empower individuals by allowing them to rewrite their stories, allow them to find solutions to the giant problem of addiction, and learn how to take power back into their own hands. At the Berman Center, our outpatient addiction treatment in Atlanta aims to help individuals find their voice through narrative therapy and other evidence-based treatments.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, reach out to us today to begin your journey towards recovery and rewriting your story. We use everything from CBT to family counseling, yoga, individual, and group therapy to help you break free from the grips of addiction. Don’t let addiction define you – rewrite your story today.
