Group Exercise on Recovery

1. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
Roadblocks to Recovery
Description:
There are many roadblocks to recovery. This psychoeducational group session focuses on some
of the roadblocks individuals may face when returning to the community and how they can
successfully continue their recovery process.
Goals
At then end of this exercise participants will be able to:
1] Describe many of the obstacles [roadblocks] to recovery and how those roadblocks can worsen
their psychological well being.
2] Review options they have for overcoming many of the roadblocks to recovery.
3] Discuss how they have choices and how to make good choices that promote recovery.
Materials Needed:
 Masking tape
 Paper plates with roadblocks identified
 Blindfold
 Roles to recovery role-play sheets
Note for Facilitator:
 In advance of this session have tape placed on floor [Use one of the diagrams included in
this exercise to help place the tape.]. Overall route should be about 30-40 feet with at least
4 directional changes. Do not have plates placed on floor at the beginning of the session.
 Have a set of paper plates with the roadblocks written out available. Also have some blank
plates for participants to identify other roadblocks. Only put plates down once the Lead
Participant is blindfolded. See Sample roadblock Sheet attached.
Structure [Basic Roadblocks] 1:
1. Briefly discuss how the recovery process is a challenge and individuals may face various
roadblocks to recovery and their successful return to the community.
2. Ask participants to identify what they think will be some roadblocks they might encounter
when they return to their communities.
3. Briefly describe how the exercise will work. [This overall process can be repeated for
several participants, but only one at a time.]
A. The Lead Participant will play the part of the person returning to the community.
B. A second participant, The Guide, will play the Primary Support Person who will
verbally guide the blindfolded, Lead Participant, through the Recovery Road.
C. Other participants will have various roles they can play during the exercise. Those
roles are described on the Road to Recovery Role-Play Sheets.

2. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
D. The lead participant will blindfolded and required to go along the path outlined on
the floor, marked by tape. [Refer to the diagram on the Roadblocks to Recovery
Sheet attached]. The Guide will give verbal directions to help the Lead walk the
Road to Recovery.
E. Other members of the group will be assigned roles identified on the Roadblocks to
Recovery Role-play Sheet. They will try to interrupt the Lead Participant as he
follows the Road to Recovery.
F. Only one member will be assigned as the Lead and one as the Guide. The other
roles can be given to more than one participant.
G. If the Lead Participants steps on a Roadblock or off the line he can only move
forward if he can give a description of what could be done to overcome the
roadblock.
Variations: Roadblocks Dynamic
In this version only the
starting tape is put on the
floor in advance of the exercise. Starting Line
As the participant goes from one
Roadblock to another a new path is
outlined with the tape.
The new plate is put down following Old friend
the offers
theme of the last roadblock.
you You
For example one path might look drugs are
like the figure on the left. bored
and
Following this theme participants get
a You
perspective on how a poor decision
can want to
have several negative quit the
consequences. They can also program The
discuss how to correct the path and meds
continue on Recovery.
make
you
Prompt Questions for Activity
Before the actual activity starts list out on chart or board three questions you want participants to
think about during this activity.
1] What are some of the roadblocks to recovery you think you might face?

3. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
2] How did the Lead Participant and Guide overcome some of their roadblocks?
3] What are the choices you can make to promote recovery?

4. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
Roadblocks to Recovery Role-Play Sheet
LEAD PARTICIPANT:
You will be lead blindfolded along the road to recovery. Your Guide person will help you navigate
the Road. If you step on the line or on one of the Roadblocks you must describe how you could
overcome the roadblock.
PRIMARY SUPPORT PERSON.- Guide
You will help the lead participant navigate the Road to Recovery by giving calm, concise and
accurate directions. For example, “move your left foot about 12 inches ahead.”
All instruction is done verbally you cannot physically direct the participant.
“JOHNNY TOO BAD” OR “THE BAD ANGEL”
You do not want the person to succeed and continuously make comments designed to cause him to
fail in his recovery. For example, “You not need to see that stupid therapist. How can he help you?”
Your comments must be given at a low murmur volume not to override the Primary Support Persons
comments.
“DUDLEY DO RIGHT” OR “THE GOOD ANGEL”
You want the person to succeed, despite how he is. Everything you do is better, but if he does what
you tell him to do he might be all right. For example you might say, “Well you will probably
eventually fail, but right now you need to do…. “ Your comments must be given at a low murmur
volume not to override the Primary Support Persons comments
I AM HERE FOR YOU AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING
You want the lead participant to succeed and have some ideas that will could be helpful but are
afraid of being dragged into the process. As long as nothing directly is asked of you, you are willing
to help. You might say things like, “Try going to the clinic if you are feeling bad.” Or,” I know the
medications taste horrible but helps keep you calm.” Your comments must be given at a low
murmur volume not to override the Primary Support Persons comments
YOUR BEST, WORST FRIEND
You are the constant state of denial. You do not need mental health services, drugs are not a
problem and what the parole officer does not know won’t hurt you. You might say things like,
“This is too much pressure, lets go get some smoke.” Or, “I can snatch that steak and get it under
my shirt before anyone blinks.” Your comments must be given at a low murmur volume not to
override the Primary Support Persons comments.

5. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry

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David Barry

7. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry

8. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
Sample Roadblocks for Basic
Everyone wants to know what has happened to you.
You feel you are being identified by a mental illness label.
Your medication makes you too sleepy.
It is hard to find a place to live.
Your benefits will not start for two more weeks.
You overall stress level is through the roof.
You met some old friends and they want to get high.
You are starting to hear voices telling you bad things.
An old friend says he can give you some money to be a look-out
You have too much time on your hands
Your family does not want to talk with you
You begin thinking about harming yourself
You have not had a date in 1 month
You lied on a job application and now people at work are asking you more questions
You are lonely and need to meet some new people
You owe someone money and they say it is time to pay-up.
The police begin to question you about a crime in the neighborhood, even though you had nothing
to do with it.
Things do not seem like they will ever get better
You are cold and hungry and it is late at night with nowhere to go.
Everyday is a trial
Your only close support has moved out of town
Your ex-girlfriend says she never wants to see you again
You find out an old enemy is now looking for you

9. Psychoeducational Groups
David Barry
Review of Exercise
After each set of participants completes the exercise ask them how they felt the exercise went.
What did they think were some of the successes and what do they think they could have done
better.
When a number of the participants have attempted the exercise and it is time to wrap up review the
prompt questions.
1] Describe many of the obstacles [roadblocks] to recovery and how those roadblocks can worsen
their psychological well being.
2] Review options they have for overcoming many of the roadblocks to recovery.
3] Discuss how they have choices and how to make good choices that promote recovery