If you are looking for ongoing support from a science-based approach to addiction treatment, consider the SMART Recovery program. It is a popular alternative to 12-step programs and is not only useful in helping with substance abuse recovery but co-occurring disorders like depression disorders and anxiety disorders.
What is SMART Recovery?
SMART Recovery is a support group program that serves as an alternative to AA/NA. It stands for “Self-Management and Recovery Training.”
The program is regularly updated using the most effective recovery strategies, all of which are designed to teach people the skills they need to manage cravings, recognize the underlying thoughts or emotions that control harmful addictive behavior, and maintain long-term sobriety.
Originally, this program was developed for various types of addiction and mental health issues, including substance abuse, alcoholism, gambling, and eating disorders.
If you have tried other programs like 12-step programs or you have a close family member who has not found them to be helpful, this is a good alternative, especially for a wider range of addictions and addictive behaviors that 12-step programs don’t cover.
Elements of the SMART Recovery Program
SMART Recovery is a science-based approach to addiction treatment, one that uses techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy as well as motivational enhancement therapy.
The 4-Point Program
The four-point program centers on some key areas for maintaining a sober lifestyle that participants can choose to tackle in any order contingent upon their individual needs.
One such area is building and maintaining the willpower and motivation to remain in lasting recovery. Another area is learning to recognize individual triggers and how to cope with those triggers with distraction techniques. Then, there is the ability to prevent relapse by maintaining thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through self-acceptance and coping skills. Sobriety can present a significant lifestyle change, so another point is living a balanced life where individuals understand what’s most important to them, set realistic goals, and focus on the future.
Family and Friends
There are some local support groups that are designed specifically for family and friends, much the same as AA or NA, and these are labeled as such. These are designed to provide support and education to those who have a family member or a friend struggling with addiction.
Successful Life Skills
While completing the four points, individuals can also participate in local support groups designed specifically to develop successful life skills. This helps to build up long-term life skills necessary to achieve the realistic goals in the future-focused planning that individuals achieve in the four steps.
Finding SMART Recovery Meetings
If you are interested in finding SMART Recovery meetings, they have a “Find a SMART Meeting” option online. You can refine your search based on city, state, or province, and it will give you a list of nearby results. The results will include information about the meeting, such as if it’s online or in person, what language it will be conducted in, who will facilitate it, and the meeting date, time, and location.
You can also filter results by distance from you, program type (4-Point Recovery, Family and Friends, or Successful Life Skills), audience (such as Family and Friends Only, LGBTQ+, Military/Veterans/First Responders, Men/Women Only, and Teens/Young Adults), language, and verifications.
Omnia Recovery makes it even easier to start your journey with SMART recovery. Our program provides clients with access to onsite SMART recovery meetings at our Thousand Oaks behavioral clinic as part of our Ventura County outpatient rehab programs.
At our facility, we provide clients with behavioral health programs that target substance abuse, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders. We know that individuals who struggle with addiction or mental health issues still have personal and professional obligations they have to meet, which is why we specialize in flexible schedules through a variety of outpatient programs, each of which gives you access to SMART recovery meetings on a regular basis.
SMART Recovery is a 12-step-program alternative founded in science. Rather than submitting to a feeling of powerlessness, this program is self-empowering and gives you the actionable skills you need to recognize triggers, control your behavior, and maintain long-term sobriety.If you are looking for Ventura County addiction treatment and are interested in attending a SMART recovery meeting, call our team today to find out more about our weekly onsite meetings.
