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This
page will introduce you to the general principles of SMART Recovery.
For further information, go to the recommended
reading list.
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Introduction to
SMART Recovery
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SMART Recovery is an abstinence-based, not-
for-profit organization with a sensible self-help program of group meetings for people having problems with
drinking and using. It includes many ideas and techniques to help you change your life
from one that is self- destructive and unhappy to one that is constructive and satisfying. |
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SMART is not a spin-off from Alcoholics Anonymous. No one
will label you or ask you to label yourself an "alcoholic" or an addict. You are neither diseased nor
powerless, and if you do not believe in a religion or spirituality, that's fine, too. We
teach common sense self-help procedures designed to empower you to abstain and to develop
a more positive lifestyle. When you succeed at following our approach, you may graduate
from the program, or you may stay around to help others. |
| Based on Sensible Theory
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Drinking and using can serve a purpose -- to cope with
life's problems and emotional upsets. There's a drawback, however. Many problems arise
from heavy drinking and continual using. So that kind of coping is not only impractical,
it's counterproductive. To help you reverse your self-destructive behavior, we use a
cognitive-behavioral (thinking/doing) psychotherapy called REBT which stands for Rational
Emotive Behavior Therapy. |
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Psychologist Albert Ellis devised this system in the'50s.
It's effective and widely accepted. According to REBT, thinking creates your feelings and
leads you to act. By managing the beliefs and emotions that lead you to drink or use, you
can empower yourself to quit. Then you can work at problems you have with abstaining. In
SMART, we are not much concerned with the past, except to learn from it. We focus on
present-day events and the causes of self-destructive behaviors. We concentrate on what to
do about them in order to achieve a positive lifestyle change, especially in the areas of
our lives that are related to drinking or using. |
| Key Areas of
Awareness and Change
In SMART we emphasize:
(1) enhancing motivation;
(2) refusing to act on urges
to use;
(3) managing life's problems
in a sensible and effective way without substances;
(4) developing a positive,
balanced, and healthy lifestyle. |
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Motives and Goals
Motivation is a key element in nearly all you do. Consider that we all have two
primary goals-survival and the avoidance of pain along with seeking happiness. You can
increase your awareness of your motives for drinking and of your reasons for quitting.
Then you will feel better about changing your behavior. We will show you how.
Emotions
Emotions are important too. People often drink or use to cope with their
emotional problems including anger, guilt, anxiety, and low self-esteem. SMART teaches you
how to diminish your emotional disturbances and increase self-acceptance. Then you can
have greater motivation and ability to remain abstinent and to live more happily. |
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Beliefs
What you believe about addiction is important and there are many beliefs
about heavy drinking and recovery. You may believe, for example, that you have an
incurable disease, that you have a genetic defect, that you're powerless, or that after
the first drink you have to lose all control. These beliefs may actually be damaging to
you. Some people have additional beliefs. For example, "I've tried and failed, so I
can't do it. I need alcohol to cope", or "Because I've tried to quit and failed,
I'm no good". Those beliefs, and many like them, can't be justified because evidence
just doesn't support them.
Behaviors
Changes in thinking and emotions are not enough. Commitment and
follow-through are essential. We encourage members to work at problems and to become
involved in enjoyable activities in place of their substance use activities. |
| Meetings |
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Our meeting format is straightforward and organized. Our
coordinators are trained for the job. Some of them have had experience with drinking and
using, and some haven't. That doesn't seem to make any difference. Remember, SMART is a
mental health and educational program. We're not trying to cure an imaginary disease.
We're concerned with changing human behavior. SMART meetings are serious but often fun.
We're certainly not into drunkalogues (war stories), sponsors, and meetings-for-life. |
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We don't dredge up the past about which you can do
nothing. We can do something about the present and the future. We present either our
problems with drinking or using or our difficulties in recovery. The primary tool used in
SMART is the A-B-C method of problem-solving. The A-B-Cs help us gain awareness of our
mistaken beliefs that lead to problem emotions and behaviors. Near the end of the meeting,
the "hat" is passed for donations, which are encouraged but not required. |
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