Frogman

Purpose: When an individual is out of breath and you need another breath, there is no question you will take one without any thought. An addiction works in the same manner. You must have whatever it is that you are addicted to no matter what. An addiction can take control over one’s body and dictate behavior. The addiction will cause you to do things out of character, just to satisfy the addiction. This activity will help group participants become more aware of how addiction starts.

Materials: None

Activity: The objective of the activity is to have the group participants see how long they can hold their breath. Have everyone stand up. Have each group participant breathe deeply a couple of times. They should take air in and let it out slowly. Now explain that you will count to 3. When you reach 3, everyone is to take a deep breath and hold it for as long as they can. When they need to take a second breath, they are to sit down in their seats. Caution them to not hold their breath so long that they feel faint or are ready to pass out.

Processing:

1. Could you have held your breath for just a little longer than you did? Why not?

2. Could you have held your breath for another 3 minutes?

3. What would you have done if necessary to get a breath of air?

4. Did everyone sit down and need a second breath at the same time?

5. Why do you think some people could hold their breath longer than others?

6. Do you think that all drugs are addicting at the same rate?

7. What are some of the factors that make some people become addicted faster than other people?

Resource: More Activities that Teach, Tom Jackson