SMART Recovery
Encyclopedia
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization
which provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addictive behaviors. The approach used is secular and science
-based using non-confrontational motivational, behavioral and cognitive methods. Meeting participants learn recovery methods derived from evidence-based addiction treatments.
found in Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and techniques taken from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), particularly in the version called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
(REBT), as well as scientifically validated research on treatment.
The organization's program emphasizes four areas (called the Four Points) in the process of recovery: Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance. The "SMART Toolbox" is a collection of various MET, CBT and REBT methods (or "tools") which address the Four Points.
The program does not use the twelve steps
which make up the basis of the various "Anonymous" self-help groups (e.g. AA, NA, etc.) and is generally listed as an "Alternative to AA" or an "Alternative to the Twelve Steps." Though listed as an "alternative", it is also suggested as a possible "supplement" to twelve-step programs in SMART Recovery's main program publication, The SMART Recovery Handbook.
General operations are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors. Local groups are run by volunteers known as "Facilitators" with the assistance of volunteer recovery professionals called "Volunteer Advisors." A central office is currently maintained in Mentor, Ohio
.
SMART Recovery offers its services for free although a donation is requested and its publications are sold.
Meetings are also held in correctional facilities in many states including: Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
(CRAFT) approach which differs significantly from Alanon in that it is a behavioral program which advocates that the CSO can have a positive impact on the substance abuser. Further, the CRAFT program has been demonstrated in Meyer's research to be more effective than the Vernon Johnson type intervention or Alanon, with less negative side-effects and better outcomes whether or not the substance abuser enters treatment.
, as well as the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
(NIAAA). NIDA and NIAAA are agencies of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
which provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addictive behaviors. The approach used is secular and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
-based using non-confrontational motivational, behavioral and cognitive methods. Meeting participants learn recovery methods derived from evidence-based addiction treatments.
Methodology
SMART Recovery is based on scientific knowledge, and is intended to evolve as scientific knowledge evolves. The program uses principles of motivational interviewingMotivational interviewing
Motivational interviewing refers to a counseling approach in part developed by clinical psychologists Professor William R Miller, Ph.D. and Professor Stephen Rollnick, Ph.D. The concept of motivational interviewing evolved from experience in the treatment of problem drinkers, and was first...
found in Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and techniques taken from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), particularly in the version called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Rational emotive behavior therapy
Rational emotive behavior therapy , previously called rational therapy and rational emotive therapy, is a comprehensive, active-directive, philosophically and empirically based psychotherapy which focuses on resolving emotional and behavioral problems and disturbances and enabling people to lead...
(REBT), as well as scientifically validated research on treatment.
The organization's program emphasizes four areas (called the Four Points) in the process of recovery: Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance. The "SMART Toolbox" is a collection of various MET, CBT and REBT methods (or "tools") which address the Four Points.
The program does not use the twelve steps
Twelve-step program
A Twelve-Step Program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems...
which make up the basis of the various "Anonymous" self-help groups (e.g. AA, NA, etc.) and is generally listed as an "Alternative to AA" or an "Alternative to the Twelve Steps." Though listed as an "alternative", it is also suggested as a possible "supplement" to twelve-step programs in SMART Recovery's main program publication, The SMART Recovery Handbook.
The Stages of Change as a SMART Recovery Tool
In the SMART Recovery program, there are seven stages of change:- Precontemplation - At this stage, the participant may not realize that they have a problem.
- Contemplation - The participant evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the addiction by performing a cost/benefit analysis.
- Determination/Preparation - The participant completes a Change Plan Worksheet.
- Action - The participant seeks out new ways of handling their addiction behavior. This can include self-help, the support of addiction help group or professional guidance.
- Maintenance - After a few months, the participant's behavior has been changed and now seeks to maintain their gains.
- Relapse - Although not inevitable, relapses are a normal part of the change cycle and if handled well, can serve a learning experience in overcoming an addiction.
- Termination - Once a participant has sustained a long period of change, they may choose to move on with their lives and "graduate" from SMART Recovery.
History and Organization
Incorporated in 1992 as the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Self-Help Network (ADASHN), the organization began operating under the SMART Recovery name in 1994.General operations are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors. Local groups are run by volunteers known as "Facilitators" with the assistance of volunteer recovery professionals called "Volunteer Advisors." A central office is currently maintained in Mentor, Ohio
Mentor, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 50,278 people, 18,797 households, and 14,229 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,878.2 people per square mile . There were 19,301 housing units at an average density of 721.0 per square mile...
.
SMART Recovery offers its services for free although a donation is requested and its publications are sold.
Meetings
The meetings are free for all wishing to attend, and are intended to be informational as well as supportive. Approximately 600 weekly group meetings led by volunteer facilitators are held worldwide. In addition, the organization provides online resources and support to the volunteers and those attending the groups and one or more daily online meetings.Meetings are also held in correctional facilities in many states including: Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Family and Friends
Concerned Significant Others (CSO) is an online support group for family and friends of SMART Recovery participants which started in September 2010. Its purpose is to address specific issues encountered when a family member or friend tries to reach out and help a loved one. and it draws from the work of Robert Meyers' Community reinforcement and family trainingCommunity reinforcement and family training
Community reinforcement approach and community reinforcement and family training approach are behavior therapy approaches to treating substance abuse.-Research:...
(CRAFT) approach which differs significantly from Alanon in that it is a behavioral program which advocates that the CSO can have a positive impact on the substance abuser. Further, the CRAFT program has been demonstrated in Meyer's research to be more effective than the Vernon Johnson type intervention or Alanon, with less negative side-effects and better outcomes whether or not the substance abuser enters treatment.
Recognition
SMART is recognized by the American Academy of Family PhysiciansAmerican Academy of Family Physicians
The American Academy of Family Physicians was founded in 1947 to promote the science and art of family medicine. It is one of the largest medical organizations in the United States, with over 100,000 members...
, as well as the National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction."-History:...
(NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism , as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems...
(NIAAA). NIDA and NIAAA are agencies of the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
(NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
See also
- Addiction recovery groupsAddiction recovery groupsAddiction recovery groups are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome drug addiction. Different groups use different methods, ranging from completely secular to explicitly spiritual. One survey of members found active involvement in any addiction recovery group...
- AlcoholismAlcoholismAlcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Drug addiction
- LifeRing Secular RecoveryLifeRing Secular RecoveryLifeRing Secular Recovery is a secular, non-profit organization providing peer-run addiction recovery groups for anyone with a desire to recover from alcohol and drug addiction or who are in a relationship with an addict or alcoholic. LifeRing split from Secular Organizations for Sobriety in 1997,...
- Rational Emotive Behavior TherapyRational emotive behavior therapyRational emotive behavior therapy , previously called rational therapy and rational emotive therapy, is a comprehensive, active-directive, philosophically and empirically based psychotherapy which focuses on resolving emotional and behavioral problems and disturbances and enabling people to lead...
- Rational RecoveryRational RecoveryRational Recovery and Rational Recovery Systems, Inc. is a commercial vendor of material related to counseling, guidance, and direct instruction for addiction designed as a direct counterpoint to Alcoholics Anonymous and twelve-step programs. Rational Recovery Systems, Inc. was founded in 1986 by...
- Secular Organizations for SobrietySecular Organizations for SobrietySecular Organizations For Sobriety , also known as Save Our Selves, is a non-profit network of autonomous addiction recovery groups. The program stresses the need to place the highest priority on sobriety and uses mutual support to assist members in achieving this goal...
- Women For SobrietyWomen For SobrietyWomen For Sobriety, Inc. , is a non-profit secular addiction recovery group for women with alcohol problems or alcohol dependence. WFS was created by sociologist Jean Kirkpatrick in 1976 as an alternative to twelve-step addiction recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous . As of 1998 there were...
Further reading
- Brown JM. (1998) Self-Regulation and the Addictive Behaviors. in Treating Addictive Behaviors, 2nd ed. Miller WR & Heather N. eds. Plenum Press, NY. ISBN 0-306-45852-7
- Ellis A. & Velten E. (1992) Rational Steps To Quitting Alcohol: When AA Doesn't Work For You. Barricade Books, NY. ISBN 0-942637-53-4
- Gerstein J. (1998) Rational Recovery, SMART Recovery and non-twelve step recovery programs. In Principles Of Addiction Medicine, 2nd ed. American Society of Addiction MedicineAmerican Society of Addiction MedicineThe American Society of Addiction Medicine is a physician society with a focus on addiction and its treatment.- History :ASAM has its roots in research and clinical traditions that pre-date its founding in the early 1950s, when Ruth Fox, M.D. began regular meetings with other physicians interested...
, Chevy Chase ISBN 1-880425-08-4 - Mattson ME. (1998) Finding the Right Approach. in Miller WR & Heather N. Treating Addictive Behaviors. 2nd ed. Plenum Press, NY. ISBN 0-306-45852-7
- Myers PL. (2002) Beware of the Man of One Book: Processing Ideology in Addictions Education. J of Teaching in the Addictions. pp 1:69-90
- Vuchinich RE & Tucker JA. (1998) Choice, Behavioral Economics, and Addictive Behavior Patterns. in Treating Addictive Behaviors ISBN 0-306-45852-7
- Whittinghill D., et al. The benefits of a self-efficacy approach to substance abuse counseling in the era of managed care. J Addictions & Offender Counseling. 2000; 20:64-74