SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery: A Modern Approach to Addiction Recovery
SMART Recovery stands for “Self Management for Addiction Recovery”. It was created to address the most common concerns about 12-step programs and it does this relatively well. SMART should be used in conjunction with individual psychotherapy.
a “leading, evidence-informed approach to overcoming addictive behaviors and leading a balanced life. SMART is stigma-free and emphasizes self-empowerment.”
smartrecovery.org
Getting Started
At Jeremy Frank & Associates, we can help clients navigate the SMART program and find meetings which might work for them. Contact us to talk with a therapist about SMART Recovery and how it can help you.
Core Philosophies of SMART Recovery
SMART philosophies focus on the concepts of:
- Motivation
- Coping with Urges
- Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
- Living a Balanced Life
These are excellent and broad-based concepts for addiction recovery, universally found in most effective addiction treatments grounded in science.
Evidence-Based Approach
SMART offers a more evidence-based and empirical view of addiction recovery compared to AA. This approach is appealing and commendable and is likely the future of addiction treatment. However, despite the appeal of SMART, it is important to remember that AA works as well, even if we don’t fully understand its mechanisms completely. Still, many individuals will find SMART’s principles more palatable.
Contrasting SMART Recovery with Traditional 12-Step Programs
SMART was created to address the most common obstacles to 12-step programs:
- Twelve-step programs heavily rely on the disease model, which many find limiting. SMART teaches self-reliance, self-empowerment, and self-direction, contrasting with the “powerlessness” concept in AA.
- SMART recovery encourages medication, whereas AA makes little or no references to psychiatry, psychology, and medication.
Support and Leadership in SMART Recovery
SMART’s message is welcoming, and its founder, Tom Horvath, is noted for his warmth and brilliance. Dr. Horvath suggests it is acceptable to participate in SMART alongside other programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, accommodating diverse beliefs and approaches to recovery.
SMART uses its website, publications, online message boards, and face-to-face meetings, to provide support for recovery.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its rationale and well-crafted mission, SMART Recovery does not yet offer as comprehensive a social support system as most 12-step fellowships. Social support is crucial for strong recovery, and is an area where traditional programs like AA excel.
The challenge for SMART lies in its less widespread support and attendance compared to AA, which is ubiquitous and deeply integrated into daily life for many. As a result SMART recovery meetings may be more difficult to find, and they may not be as well attended and supported as an AA meeting.
A social support system with regular recovery meetings is deeply important for a strong recovery.
As the science of addiction progresses, so may support for SMART, potentially making it as popular as AA in the future. We are hopeful as we watch it grow, for the alternative it provides to AA.