At Sheridan Grove, we weave life skills training directly into addiction treatment at our Aurora, CO, center. You’ll practice skills in groups, in therapy sessions, and even in your daily schedule. Over time, the pieces start to click. You’ll build confidence, reduce stress, and walk away with tools you can rely on long after you leave rehab.

When you start addiction treatment, it’s not just about breaking free from substances—it’s about learning how to live again. That’s the heart of life skills training. It’s a guided process of rebuilding the habits, routines, and abilities that make daily life feel manageable and meaningful.

Life skills training covers the basics of living well: managing stress, solving problems, communicating with others, and caring for your mental and physical health. These may sound simple, but addiction often interrupts or erodes them. Bills may have gone unpaid, relationships may have suffered, and routines may have disappeared. Life skills training helps you put those pieces back together.

Life skills training helps you succeed in real life—not just in treatment. The purpose is twofold:

1. Building personal stability. By developing structure and habits, you create a foundation for a steady, healthy life.
2. Supporting recovery. Each skill learned directly reduces stress and lowers the risk of relapse.

It’s not about becoming perfect; it’s about progress. Every time you practice a new skill, you’re reinforcing your ability to live a balanced, substance-free life.

Recovery is about building a life that feels worth protecting. Life skills training plays a big role in this transformation.

• Boosts confidence: Handling tasks like budgeting or problem-solving gives you a sense of accomplishment. That “I can do this” feeling is a powerful motivator to keep moving forward.
• Improves emotional balance: Addiction often masks or numbs emotions. Life skills training teaches you how to recognize and regulate them in healthy ways, reducing the risk of being overwhelmed.
• Sharpens decision-making: You’ll practice slowing down, considering options, and making thoughtful choices instead of acting on impulse.
• Strengthens relapse prevention: Many relapses happen during stressful or chaotic times. With new skills in place, you’ll have practical strategies to ride out those tough moments.

The result? You don’t just leave treatment sober. You leave with a toolkit for managing life.

Everyone in treatment benefits from life skills training. Whether you’re learning to rebuild routines, handle conflict, or simply trust yourself again, these skills prepare you for life after rehab. Families also benefit when they’re involved. In therapy sessions that include loved ones, life skills training can improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and create a more supportive home environment.

Life skills training is grounded in evidence and proven practices. Some skills are especially helpful for addiction recovery:

• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Decision-making and problem-solving
• Coping with stress and emotions
• Self-awareness and empathy
• Critical and creative thinking

In addiction treatment, these areas are applied in practical, real-world ways. Learning and practicing life skills can reduce risky behaviors, improve emotional health, and help people sustain long-term recovery.

At Sheridan Grove, we use these evidence-based principles as the backbone of our life skills therapy.

Life skills training covers a wide range of abilities, but some areas are especially important for recovery. Here’s what you’ll work on:

Addiction can strain communication. In training, you’ll learn how to express yourself clearly, listen actively, and set boundaries without guilt. You’ll also practice sober socializing so you can connect with others in ways that feel safe and authentic.

Recognizing your feelings—and knowing how to respond to them—is key to recovery. You’ll practice identifying triggers, pausing before reacting, and responding in healthier ways. Self-awareness also helps you understand how your actions affect others, building empathy and stronger relationships. 

Recovery comes with decisions, both big and small. You’ll learn how to break down problems, weigh options, and choose the best path forward. These skills make everyday life less overwhelming and keep you grounded when stress hits. 

Stress is one of the most common relapse triggers. In life skills training, you’ll develop practical coping tools—deep breathing, grounding exercises, journaling, or mindful movement—that help you calm down and stay steady. You’ll also learn how to build balanced routines that reduce stress in the first place. 

Recovery takes resilience. You’ll build this by setting small goals, celebrating progress, and reframing setbacks as opportunities to learn. Each success builds self-esteem, helping you believe in your ability to handle challenges. 

Relationships often need healing during recovery. Life skills training helps you learn how to resolve conflicts respectfully, set boundaries, and rebuild trust. These skills strengthen your support system and improve the quality of your connections. 

Life skills training at Sheridan Grove is offered in several formats, so you get the support that fits your needs:

• Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions help you focus on your personal goals and challenges.
• Group workshops: Interactive classes may use role-plays and real-world scenarios to practice communication, coping, and problem-solving.
• Residential integration: For those in inpatient care, life skills are woven into daily routines where you can practice independence.

Every person has different strengths and areas to grow, which is why we personalize the process.

1. Assessment: We begin by identifying your strengths and challenges.
2. Roadmap: Together, we create a skills plan tailored to your needs.
3. Practice: In sessions, you’ll learn the skill, try it out in a safe setting, and plan how to use it in real life.
4. Feedback: You’ll track progress with simple check-ins and celebrate each win along the way.
5. Adjustment: If something isn’t working, we adapt the plan until it does.

The focus is always on real-world skills. You'll leave each session with something you can use right away.

Mental health and life skills are essential components of dual diagnosis treatment. We incorporate life skills training for clients with ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. The tools you’ll learn are tailored to support long-term recovery and overall well-being.

• Managing emotions: Techniques like grounding exercises and mindfulness help regulate intense emotions often linked to addiction and co-occurring disorders, allowing you to respond more intentionally instead of reactively.
• Daily routines: Building a consistent schedule with sleep, balanced meals, movement, and mindful breaks creates stability, which is especially important for managing ADHD, mood swings, and symptoms of anxiety or depression.
• Motivation and focus: Time management and planning skills help reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and support your recovery goals, giving you the structure needed to stay on track with treatment and personal growth.

By integrating mental health tools with life skills, you get a personalized recovery plan that effectively addresses both addiction and co-occurring challenges, ensuring more sustainable progress.

At Sheridan Grove Recovery, we understand that life after treatment can feel daunting. That’s why we make life skills training a core part of our rehab program. 

Here’s what sets us apart:

Recovery is about learning to thrive. With life skills training at Sheridan Grove, you’ll gain the tools, confidence, and support to handle life on your own terms. Each skill you learn is another step toward a stable, fulfilling future.

If you’re ready to take that next step, our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer your questions, verify insurance, and help you begin treatment. Just call 303.268.2987 or message us online now.