Similar to Alcoholics Anonymous or AA, SMART Recovery is science-based, self-help program that is completely free of charge. It is for people who are trying to overcome either drugs, alcohol, or other non-substance addictions. SMART is short for Self-Management and Recovery Training. It is one of the most popular support grouops our there today and is viewed as an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Over the past decade or so there has been a fairly large increase in the popularity of SMART Recovery.

One of the main reasons that there has been such a spike in popularity is due to the fact that they offer up online meetings. If you are unable to make it a meeting due to lack of transportation, lack of time or whatever there are meetings scheduled everyday on SMART Recovery’s website. They are free to attend.

SMART Recovery will continue to evolve as scientific principles change, the program itself, its principals and its design may be completely different in 20 years. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. As more and more studies are conducted on addiction, the program of SMART Recovery will continue to evolve. Being scientifically based there is no religious or spiritual standing behind SMART Recovery. They will allow you to practice spiritual and religious principals if you wish to do so, but it is not part of the program of SMART Recovery.

SMART Recovery focuses on four main keypoints:

• It is about building and maintaining motivation.
• Coping with urges.
• Managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors
• Living a balanced life.

These are the main focus in SMART Recovery groups. Similar to the 12 steps in AA they believe they are the main components to staying sober/clean. SMART Recovery doesn’t ask you to place any type of label on one’s self. They do not need you to label yourself an addict or an alcoholic in order to be apart of the program.

With new free group programs like this becoming readily available we can only hope that it will help show a decrease in the number of overdoses and arrests due to drugs and alcohol every year. If you are struggling go check out SMART Recovery and check out their website. Whether you’ve tried AA in the past or never have, SMART Recovery is a great resource and is viewed as one of the best free support groups out there today.

Call Recovery Society today if you need help starting your journey to recovery. 1-866-527-5252