SMART Recovery
At Resurgence, we believe that a person’s choice of which type of community support meetings they attend should be an informed one. That is why we explain recovery concepts from an integrated perspective, discussing Resurgence’s approach to addiction treatment and the SMART Recovery philosophy.
SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. It’s an alternative to 12 Step support groups that are based on the latest research and scientific advances in addiction. SMART groups approach addiction as an undesirable behavior, rather than as a character defect or a disease. SMART’s official approach on addiction as a disease, “If it’s a disease, don’t use. If it’s not a disease, don’t use.” SMART Recovery works whether you believe addiction is a disease or not.
SMART meetings are offered and encouraged at Resurgence. We will expose you thoroughly to SMART Recovery while you are in treatment at Resurgence, along with exposure to other addiction support group options. You may even choose to be trained as a SMART Recovery Group Facilitator while you are in treatment!
Without a doubt, Resurgence is a leader in providing SMART Recovery resources and education to our clients. Many clients choose to come to us for this very reason.
SMART Recovery is a non-profit organization and is the 2nd largest addiction support group in the world, after 12 Step Groups. SMART Recovery has 2500 face-to-face meetings currently operating around the globe. They also have an extremely active online community, which can be accessed at www.smartrecovery.org.
SMART Recovery is abstinence based, focused on stopping and staying free from all addictive behaviors and substances.
There are four points to the SMART Recovery program:
- Staying Motivated
- Coping with Urges
- Managing Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors, and
- Lifestyle Balance
SMART is based on four well known behavioral theories of psychology:
- Stages of Change
- Motivational Interviewing
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
SMART meetings are led by trained facilitators and usually last 90 minutes. At a SMART meeting, cross-talk (comments and suggestions between meeting participants) is encouraged.