SMART Recovery® 4-Point Program

Here is some information I took off the SMART Recovery Website...looks interesting - I will definately be looking into this more....

SMART offers free face-to-face and online mutual help groups. SMART (Self-Management And Recovery Training) helps people recover from all types of addictive behaviors, including: alcoholism, drug abuse, substance abuse, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, cocaine addiction, and addiction to other substances and activities. SMART is an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

SMART sponsors more than 300+ face-to-face meetings around the world, and 16+ online meetings per week. In addition, our online message board is an excellent forum in which to learn about SMART and seek support.

Our PurposeTo support individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions; and to work towards long-term satisfactions and quality of life.

SMART Recovery® (Self Management And Recovery Training) helps individuals gain independence from addictive behaviors (substances or activities). Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves.

The program offers specific tools and techniques for each of the program points:
Point 1: Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation to Abstain
Point 2: Coping with UrgesPoint
3: Problem Solving (Managing thoughts, feelings & behaviors)
Point 4: Lifestyle Balance (Balancing momentary & enduring satisfactions)

Our Approach

* Teaches self-empowerment and self-reliance.* Works on addictions/compulsions as complex maladaptive behaviors with possible physiological factors.* Teaches tools and techniques for self-directed change.* Encourages individuals to recover and live satisfying lives.* Meetings are educational and include open discussions.* Advocates the appropriate use of prescribed medications and psychological treatments.* Evolves as scientific knowledge evolves.* Differs from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and traditional 12-step programs.

Much of the information imparted by us is drawn from the field of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and particularly from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, as developed by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. In general, CBT views addictive behavior more as a complex maladaptive behavior than as a disease. Use of the CBT perspective allows us to use a rich and easily accessible body of ideas, techniques, and publications. Some of these publications we are able to make available directly to our participants, and others are available through bookstores and other sources.

SMART Recovery® has a scientific foundation, not a spiritual one. SMART Recovery® teaches increasing self-reliance, rather than powerlessness. SMART Recovery® views addictive behavior as a maladaptive habit, rather than as a disease. SMART Recovery® meetings are discussion meetings in which individuals talk with one another, rather than to one another. SMART Recovery® encourages attendance for months to years, but probably not a lifetime. There are no sponsors in SMART Recovery®. SMART Recovery® discourages use of labels such as "alcoholic" or "addict".

Compared to Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery® is very small. AA offers about 90,000 meetings worldwide each week. SMART Recovery® treatment, its effectiveness is essentially unknown. The crucial question for each individual is: which offers more than 300 weekly groups worldwide.

Q. Is SMART Recovery® as effective as AA?
A. From a scientific perspective, the effectiveness of all support groups for addictive behavior is unproven. The only way to answer that question is to attend meetings from all available groups, and reach a personal conclusion about the best approach to recovery.TOP

Q. What are the other non-Twelve Step support groups?
A. Women for Sobriety (WFS): (215) 536-8026 www.womenforsobriety.orgSecular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.): (323) 666-4295 www.sossobriety.org.Moderation Management (MM): (212)871-0974 www.moderation.orgMen for Sobriety (MFS): (215) 536-8026 www.womenforsobriety.org.