For the past 10 years, I’ve been a SMART Recovery volunteer facilitator. I also run a weekly Family and Friends meeting in San Diego. You can find the information to join below:
- What: SMART Recovery: Family and Friends (Based on CRAFT)
- When: Mondays from 7-8:30 PM PT
- Cost: This meeting is free. Both the person struggling with addiction and their loved ones are welcome.
- Details: https://zoom.us/j/948171152 Meeting ID: 948 171 152
What is SMART Recovery?
SMART Recovery (Self-Management And Recovery Training) is mutual self-help recovery meetings from a non 12-step perspective. They meet people where they are at while in recovery and discuss harm reduction techniques in addition to abstinence.
SMART does not require labels like “alcoholic” or “addict” and encourages individual choice. Cross-talk is encouraged and active discussion about various topics, including the tools in the SMART handbooks. This often creates engaging meetings.
SMART is founded in empirically supported psychology, drawing on techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). San Diego has one of the largest communities with in-person and virtual meetings, as well as social activities for those wanting social support.
Instead of framing addiction purely as a chronic disease, SMART Recovery views addictive and maladaptive coping behaviors as learned habits that help us cope with life. SMART offers concrete tools and active discussion to help with your goals. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in their recovery by identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors using practical exercises.
What are the differences between SMART Recovery Family & Friends meetings and Al-Anon?
Al-Anon has their loved ones work through the 12-steps, focus on caring for themselves and does not discuss the particulars of their loved one’s substance use concerns. In contrast, SMART Recovery F&F focuses meetings on discussing concrete and practical skills to help individuals learn how to set as well as hold boundaries, communicate positively, and to help with love rather than fully detaching from them. Some choose to go to Al-Anon and SMART F&F. There is much to gain from both approaches.
Benefits and effectiveness of SMART Recovery
Finding an approach that fits with your beliefs and values is what creates the most change. No specific approach is more effective than the others, even if AA is more well-known. The community aspect of mutual self-help support programs is what has been shown to be the most impactful.
Here’s what the research says about SMART Recovery specifically:
- A systematic review concluded that while the research base for SMART Recovery is still smaller than for 12-step programs, the available evidence supports its effectiveness for individuals with alcohol, substance or behavioral addictions.
- A longitudinal study comparing AA, LifeRing, Women for Sobriety, and SMART Recovery showed that outcomes are relatively similar. It suggests that not one way is more effective than others.
- A pilot study embedding SMART Recovery in outpatient treatment found that 94% of participants reported benefit in substance-use reduction or maintenance of abstinence; 71% reported improved mental health; 81% reported increased sense of connection.
These findings show that SMART Recovery can be a valuable addition (or alternative) as a self-empowering approach. It emphasizes that choosing the right fit for your preferences and personality matters just as much as choosing a program.
How does SMART Recovery differ from AA?
SMART Recovery offers a secular, science-based alternative. SMART values choice based on what fits for each individual. It draws from proven psychological methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Instead of focusing on surrendering control, SMART Recovery teaches people a self-empowering approach. They teach how to build motivation, manage cravings, set boundaries, identify triggers, and how to live a balanced life.
Since no program has been proven to be more effective than others, many engage in meetings from various programs. You do not have to choose one and can instead attend multiple kinds of meetings. The best path is often the one that feels authentic, sustainable, and aligned with your values.
How can I learn more about SMART Recovery
Please visit us at www.smartrecoverysd.org for San Diego based meetings, smartrecovery.org for national meetings, and www.smartrecoveryinternational.org for worldwide support.
As a SMART Recovery facilitator myself, I can also help you learn more by emailing me at julia@drjuliarosengren.com.
You can also attend the free weekly meeting I facilitate on Mondays from 7-8:30 PM PT on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/948171152 .