This workshop focuses on experiential activity as participants explore addictions and recovery through the psychodramatic lenses of surplus reality, role reversal and role training. The use of action provides avenues within which needed social and survival skills (often absent in those with addictions) can be taught.

Format: The workshop consists of didactic presentations, experiential activities, and discussions/ processing. An action demonstration of the techniques may be followed by opportunities to practice directing during two-day or longer workshops.

Participants: This workshop is appropriate for educators, health and welfare professionals, addictions specialists, pastoral workers, clergy and counselors, corrections workers, etc., who work with and/or are impacted by issues of addictions and addictive behaviors.

Outcomes – Participants will be able to:

• describe practical and theoretical aspects of action methods, and their application to models of recovery when working with people with addictive behaviors;
• list limitations of the methods, contraindications and appropriate practices for safely using these techniques; and,
• facilitate basic psychodramatic, sociodramatic and role-training techniques for working with clients on recovery issues, such as: rehearsal for healthy behavior, and role reversal with addictions of choice.

Logistics: This training can be offered as a full-day workshop with 6-7 hours of workshop time that includes a lunch break, or a two day workshop with 6-7 hours the first day and 5-6 the second. Start and end times are negotiable. Space needs include a room that is large enough to accommodate the people involved that has movable chairs with tables off to the side. We also need a blackboard or whiteboard and appropriate chalk/ markers.