What is SMART Recovery?
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addiction. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The organization’s approach is secular (non-religious) and research-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and non-confrontational motivational methods. This organization does not use labels like “addict” or “alcoholic.” They teach scientifically validated methods designed to empower you to change and to develop a more positive lifestyle.
SMART Recovery does not focus on spiritual growth as a key component of behavior modification and thus does not encourage individuals to admit powerlessness over addictions, nor use the concept of a “Higher Power”. The organization focuses on learning coping skills that work well short- and long-term [1]. They base their ideas on what addiction science has shown to be effective. SMART has adapted these ideas into SMART’s tools for change. They are not much concerned with the past, except to learn from it. Instead, SMART focuses on present-day events and the causes of self-destructive behaviors. Then, they concentrate on what to do about them to achieve a positive lifestyle change, especially in our lives related to harmful addictive behavior.
SMART Recovery Key Areas of Awareness and Change
SMART Recovery’s approach to behavioral change is built around 4-Point Program:
- Building and maintaining the motivation to change
You have power over the choices you make, how you behave, and the goals you set.
2. Coping with urges to use
Understanding why urges happen and how to recognize them will help prevent you from acting on them.
3. Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in an effective way without addictive behaviors.
Tools and techniques that look into how we think, feel, and act can help stop you from ‘using to feel better.
4. Living a balanced, positive, and healthy life
Regain your health and create a lifestyle that brings you long- and short-term satisfaction.
SMART Recovery Motives and Goals
Motivation is a key element in nearly all you do. Consider that all human beings share several primary goals: survival, the avoidance of pain, happiness. Any addictive behaviors you engage in are to pursue these primary goals. We can help you see that you may be meeting these goals short-term but impairing your ability to meet them in the long term.
Some Types Of Addiction That SMART Recovery Programs Help Treat Include:
- Alcoholism
- Drug Addiction (heroin, cocaine, marijuana, antidepressants and oxycodone)
- Behavioral Disorders or “Process Addictions” (food addiction, Internet addiction and gambling addiction)
SMART Recovery’s ABC’s
A: Activating Experience
Every trigger starts with a specific situation that has occurred. The first step is to define the event that urged you to drink or fall back on bad habits.
B: Beliefs
When you think about the particular event that has occurred, how do you see it? Take into consideration what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling. Beliefs can come in many forms: rational, reality-based, logical, irrational, wishful-based thinking, illogical and self-defeating.
C: Consequences
Every thought and action has a consequence. The consequence is a result of “A” (the activating event) and “B” (your beliefs).
D: Disputes
Take any negative beliefs that you may have, and turn them into a series of questions and answers. This will help you take a deeper look at why the event made you feel a certain way.
E: Effects
Effects are the result of replacing irrational thoughts with logical and rational beliefs. With practice, you will begin to see new behavior patterns form and your urges decrease.
SMART Recovery’s Philosophy
- People make a choice to engage in addictive behaviors and can make a choice to stop.
- Everyone has the power of choice and can choose to change unhelpful or harmful behaviors.
- People are not their behaviors, so stigmatizing language like ‘addict’ and ‘alcoholic’ is not used.
- People seeking recovery are empowered to choose what works best for them from a ‘toolbox of methods demonstrated in meetings and also available online and in manuals.
- Participants are free to engage with any other services or mutual-aid groups which they find helpful; there is no one path to recovery.
- Once a healthy, positive, and balanced lifestyle is achieved participants are free to move on and pursue other goals in life. Some may choose to volunteer and train to become Meeting Facilitators.
We Level Up Florida Will Help Find the Right Group for You
The urge to drink can still persist even after multiple meetings. In cases like this, it’s highly recommended to seek additional substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities like We Level Up Florida offer tools and techniques that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction towards smart recovery. This makes it easy to get additional treatment in a single location. Our dedicated team will be there every step as you overcome secondary substance abuse.
Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up West Palm Beach Rehab. For some primary behavioral health treatment clients, medical detox and or addiction rehab may be required first. If you have a co-occurring severe substance abuse diagnosis, please contact us prior to beginning inpatient mental health therapy. Treatment services may vary. Please call us to learn which treatment options are most suited for your individual needs.
Sources
[1] Smart Recovery – https://www.smartrecovery.org/
[2] Smart Recovery – We Level Up