Writing Your Autobiography \Writing an autobiography is something that can be approached in so many different ways, The first step Isto think about how you would like to tell your story...hrough, words, pictures or both. ‘The next step isto simply sit down and start writing your memories. You do not have to write or draw your memoriesin order because you can organize them later . To get the ball rolling, you can set a timer for 15 minutes and just write until the timer goes off. ‘After you have collected the important pictures, dates, and memories, you can put them in order or create atime tine with them. You can flesh out your stories by talking with relatives and other people who may have shared the experiences with you. Their insights and memories of the events can give you a dearer perspective of why that event impacted your life in such away that you still remember it “The autobiography must be a minimum or 3 full pages. Once you are satisfied with your autobiography, you can bringit to individual therapy to share.Letter to self \Wiite a letter to yourself asif you were talking to yourself in the future (6-12 months). Share the things you have hoped to aooomplish, where you are and how you are handling the difficult times. Write about the positive changes you hope to have made in your life and the sills you have learned and continue to use. Be kind to yourself, ©. Minimum of 2 full pages. Fold your letter and place it in an envelope with your full name on it and tum into your therapist, These will be mailed out to you in the future,AFTERCARE PLAN FOR MAINTAINING CHANGE NAME: DATE: This is to be completed four weeks prior to completion of treatment and presented to staff and peers in order to demonstrate preparedness to complete the program. Itis advised you begin this process around the first four weeks of treatment and receive feedback from group while completing it List the problem areas you have worked on while in the program, OaRens List the goals you have identified for each problem area. Sabena What are some specific steps you have taken to work toward your goals? Which goals have you accomplished? Which goals are you still working towards?What steps do you plan to take to continue work on your goals in the next 3 months? In the next 6 months? What stands in the way of achieving your goals and how might you sabotage achieving them? How will you deal with each obstacle you have identified? Shelter Where do you plan to five and who will you live with? Why is this a healthy choice for you? Counseling, What plans do you have for continued counseling (for yourself, as a couple, or as a family)? Where will you go to obtain it? Supportive Groups What support groups will you attend and how often? How are these groups helpful?Supportive People ‘Who are 3-6 supportive people in your life? OMRONS What have you discussed about your need for support with them? If not, what is stopping you? If you are thinking of drinking or using who will you call (3 people) or what will you do? 1. Plan A 2. Plan B: 3. Plan C: fyou are drinking and need a ride home who will you call, what will you do? 1. 2. Plan A: 1 2 Plan B: Ifyou are angry, frustrated or feeling overwhelmed who will you call or what will you do? 1 Plan A: 2. Plan B: Relationships What have others told you about how you have changed with respect to them (family, friends, children, significant others)? Which relationships remain difficult for you? How do you pian to cope with these relationships?Leisure Time What have you been doing for fun? How will you structure your time to most benefit you? Finances How do you deal with financial pressures? What difficulties are you having right now? How will you cope with these difficulties? How will finances create problems in maintaining your changes? Warning Signs for Relapse Identifying a behavior which would be a relapse or return to an old using behavior(s): Identity warning signs (thoughts, feelings, behaviors) which might precede the relapse. OPONa Develop a plan for each of those waming signs. 1 2. 3. 5. 4,Identify a behavior which would be a relapse or a return to old violent behavior(s): Identify warning signs (thoughts, feelings, behaviors) which might precede the relapse: gees Develop a plan for each of those warning signs. gaene High Risk Situations Identify your 6 highest risk situations which might precede a relapse into unwanted behaviors: PAREN }evelop a plan for coping with each situation you identified: De 4 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Urges and Cravings How do you experience urges and cravings to use alcohol or other drugs?How will you handle urges and cravings to use? Identity social pressures you may experience to resume unwanted behaviors: Develop a plan for handling these social pressures: Stress Management What are your most common stressors? Pg RONS low do you live your life in ways which increase stress? He 4 2, 3. 4. 5. 6. How do you live your life in a way which reduces stress? 1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.Describe steps you will take to manage stressors: OARON> Emotions Management In what ways did you express your anger when you began the program? What specific skills have been most useful for you to learn to control or manage your anger? What emotions are difficult for you to express? How will you continue to work on healthy expression of your emotions? Other ideas: Counselor and Group Feedback ‘Ask your counselor and/or group members to provide you feedback in writing:Keep this in a place where you will spend time reviewing it to help maintain changes you have made. Use your support people when you need them. Give us a call anytime to let us know how you are doing, feeling, thinking, or just how you are or if we can be of any help. We trust the experience here has aided you in developing the skills and knowledge to make the positive changes in your lifestyle that you desire, Your Signature: Date: Counselor Signature: Date: