While many believe Smart Recovery preaches moderation, meaning an alcoholic can continue drinking in normal amounts, this simply is not true. Smart recovery promotes abstinence too. They state that eventually you may moderate substance use, but a better choice is to refrain.
SMART Recovery supports (1) abstinence from any substance or activity addiction and (2) going beyond abstinence to lead a meaningful and satisfying life.
SMART Recovery is a fresh approach to addiction recovery. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. This is more than an acronym: it is a transformative method of moving from addictive substances and negative behaviors to a life of positive self-regard and willingness to change.
SMART Recovery's approach to behavioral change is built around our 4-Point Program®: (1) Building and maintaining the motivation to change. (2) Coping with urges to use. (3) Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an effective way without addictive behaviors. (4) Living a balanced, positive, and healthy life.
One of the main controversies concerning SMART Recovery is there can be a possibility that some alcoholics can reverse addictive patterns of using through moderation and not abstinence.
SMART Recovery, a non-profit corporation, was originally named the Rational Recovery Self-Help Network, and was affiliated with Rational Recovery Systems, a for-profit corporation owned by Jack Trimpey. In 1994, the non-profit changed its name to SMART Recovery, and ended all affiliation with Trimpey.
Confidentiality & Anonymity
It is not shared with anyone unless you choose to share it. You can also keep it completely anonymous by setting up an alternative email account just for this course.
The Three C's of Dealing with an addict are: I didn't cause it. I can't cure it. I can't control it.
SMART means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals that will help you stay within your target. Setting actionable short-term objectives are feasible baby steps to rehabilitation and healing.
To that end, they will often use one or more tactics from what I call the 7 Rs For Recovering From A Crisis: Renounce, Reinvent, Restructure, Rebuild, Rename, Rebrand and Reset.
SMART Recovery is abstinence-based and focuses on four points: • First – Enhancing and maintaining motivation; • Second – Coping with Urges; • Third – Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and • Fourth – Living a balanced life.
The 12 Steps are centered on the participant's surrender to a higher power that serves as an unwavering support throughout specific steps to recovery. Some people don't relate to the concept of a higher power, which can deter them from 12-step groups.
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
According to its website, SMART Recovery “is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy.” Those in the program don't label their addiction as a “disease.” SMART Recovery teaches addicts that doing so is disempowering.
When is abstinence a better choice? Although moderation may be a good starting point for many drinkers, it is not the best approach for everyone with a drinking problem. People with severe drinking problems generally find moderation difficult to maintain and often do better with abstinence.
Perhaps the biggest reason moderation is harder than abstinence is that one drink, or one joint, or whatever it is, immediately weakens your willpower. You only need a little bit of willpower to abstain, but after that first drink, not having a second requires exponentially greater willpower.
SMART Goal Examples
I'll call and update my mother on my treatment every week. I'll spend two hours a week with my children. I'll reduce my usage by 20% in the next month. I'll get 100% of my assignments in on time.
Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives is a good way to plan the steps to meet the long-term goals in your grant.
When creating goals, use the acronym SMART: Specific: Rather than setting vague goals (ex: “stay strong in recovery”), be specific. Choose actions that you know will help with sobriety, like going to counseling sessions on time every week or finding a new job that will be less stressful and more fulfilling.
Try using one of the four A's: avoid, alter, accept or adapt.
Awareness, Acceptance and Action (in that order), often called the 3 As, are the necessary steps for healthy change and growth to occur. Awareness is the identification that some problem or dysfunction exists that needs changing.
We're getting back to our roots by focusing on the 5 Key Recovery Concepts: Hope, Support, Personal Responsibility, Self-Advocacy, and Education.
The SMART Recovery Facilitator Mentoring Program will allow those who are interested in becoming a SMART Recovery volunteer to capitalize on the knowledge and skills of experienced SMART Recovery facilitators. Mentors will offer support and guidance for both starting and maintaining SMART Recovery meetings.