SMART Recovery is an alternative to AA and NA for people who are looking for evidence-based support options but not necessarily ones that incorporate the use of spiritual and religious principles. At LA Detox, we offer SMART Recovery as part of our comprehensive and personalized detox and addiction treatment services.
Welcome to SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery was originally called Rational Recovery when it was first created back in 1985. However, in 1994, it was renamed SMART Recovery in 1994. SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a type of group support for people in recovery from behavioral and substance use disorders.
SMART Recovery helps people learn how to control their behaviors related to their addiction or mental health issues. It teaches them how to focus on the underlying feelings and thoughts contributing to their condition, much like CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy).
Some of the benefits of SMART Recovery compared to traditional methods are:
- Evidence-based approach: SMART uses evidence-based techniques like CBT and MI (Motivational Interviewing) to help people develop effective coping skills.
- Person-centered: SMART focuses on helping individuals develop weekly plans with achievable goals tailored to that specific individual. It also encourages people to help support and motivate one another.
- Family-friendly: SMART principles can be applied to families to resolve conflict, repair damage caused by addiction, improve communication, and heal together.
- Strength-based recovery: SMART Recovery avoids negative labels like “addict” or “drug abuser.” Instead, it helps people regain control over their lives and learn how to make healthy decisions without having to turn to alcohol or drugs.
- Self-improvement: Rather than rely on sponsors, SMART encourages and empowers people to focus on their own self-reliance and abilities.
Key Principles
SMART Recovery focuses on five key principles to serve as the foundation for people to use when overcoming addiction and behavioral disorders:
- Empowerment: SMART encourages self-management by empowering people to take control of their behaviors.
- Support: Peer and community encouragement and mutual support are essential in learning from peers and connecting with those who have shared experiences.
- Evidence-based: SMART programs use scientific and evidence-based approaches.
- Choice: People are encouraged to set their own goals and choose which tools and skills they feel will benefit them the most.
- Person-centered: People experience different things when struggling with addiction or behavioral health issues. SMART helps put them first and guides them to a brighter future.
Tools and Techniques
SMART Recovery is a four-point program that breaks down recovery and treatment from addiction, mental health, and behavioral issues into four different pasts using various tools and techniques:
- Motivation building: The first phase is helping people build and maintain the motivation to remain committed to their recovery.
- Coping strategies: The next phase is to help people uncover their triggers and start developing effective coping strategies to manage triggering situations, cravings, and urges.
- Behavior, feeling, and thought management: The next phase is helping people learn positive and healthy ways to avoid relapse, handle challenging emotions, and find self-acceptance in their own abilities.
- Balanced life: The last phase teaches people how to set realistic and achievable goals and expectations about their recovery. This is accomplished by learning what changes are needed to promote a healthy lifestyle that supports overall physical and mental well-being.
Meeting Options
SMART Recovery offers options for online and in-person meetings. Meetings generally follow this format:
- Welcome
- Updates
- Agenda setting
- Discussing triggering events
- Coping skills develop
- Review
- Homework assignments
- Socializing
Meetings can last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the topic, format, and number of attendees. To find and join a SMART meeting, you have a few options. You can contact LA Detox and we can let you know when our next SMART meeting will be held. Another option is to use SMARTfinder to find a SMART meeting near you anywhere in the United States and Canada. You can also join meetings 24/7 from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.
Resources Available
Smart Recovery provides people access to a wide range of resources, including:
Getting Started
Getting started with SMART Recovery generally requires undergoing medically supervised detox for substance use disorders at LA Detox or another licensed detox facility in your area. While you are in detox, you can begin attending SMART meetings. It is also beneficial to download the SMART Recovery mobile app and recovery handbook. You should also spend time reviewing the different self-help toolkits to determine which ones could benefit you and your recovery the most.
If you have further questions about SMART Recovery, contact us here at LA Detox or review these FAQs on Smart Recovery’s website.
Success Stories
There are many success stories of people who have used SMART Recovery to overcome addiction, mental health, and behavioral disorders. SMART Recovery encourages participants to submit their success stories, which are posted on their website under their blog posts.
Join Us
If you are interested in joining the SMART Recovery community, you have several different options. One option is to volunteer your time through various opportunities in communities across the United States and Canada. Another option when you want to contribute to your community, is to start your own SMART Recovery meetings by completing the Facilitator Training.
Break Free from Addiction with Help from LA Detox Today
When you are ready to break free from your addiction, our detox treatment center in Los Angeles is here to help. LA Detox offers comprehensive and personalized detox and addiction treatment programs. Our caring and compassionate staff provides a safe and secure environment to begin your recovery. Contact us now for further information about our programs and SMART Recovery.
