What Is Smart Recovery?

If you have ever been in a drug or alcohol recovery program, you will likely have heard of AA (alcoholics anonymous) or NA (narcotics anonymous), but you may have never heard of SMART Recovery. What is SMART Recovery? SMART is an acronym that stands for self-management and recovery training. It is a peer-supported technique that teaches people to live productively in recovery, which is why many attend a SMART Recovery program.

What is SMART Recovery?

SMART Recovery aims to give people tools and a social support system that can help them to live a sober life. This can be used for people with any type of harmful habit. People with addictions of all kinds use this program to help them change their ways.

SMART Recovery was created as an alternative to the non-secular AA and NA halls. This program was introduced to give people tools based on science rather than guidelines based on faith. The ideas for the SMART Recovery methodology come from scientists in addiction recovery all over the world. There is a handbook and literature on the successes of this program in the real world.

The most important thing is that the program believes that everyone must find their individual path to recovery. Some people will only use a SMART Recovery program while others may participate in 12-Step programs as well. Everyone is empowered to decide for themselves.

What is SMART Recovery Like?

It uses a four-point program; each point offers techniques and tools to help you stay sober.

• Building and Maintaining Motivation
• How to Cope With Urges
• Behavioral Management Through Thoughts and Feeling
• Balancing Your Life

In addition, SMART Recovery empowers you to live the sober life you have always wanted. It does not label people with words like addict and alcoholic. It looks at using drugs as a coping mechanism and works to help people find new coping mechanisms to deal with their lives. Much of the work done in this program is to learn new coping skills. These coping skills are then used for tools of change.

What Skills Will I Learn in SMART Recovery?

You will build skills around the four points listed above.

Motivation

You will learn that with your addictive behavior, you are only meeting your needs part way and not for the long term. This program will help you to see that your motives need to change in order to live a satisfying life.

Coping With Urges

You will learn a multitude of ways to cope with urges to continue your addictive behavior. The idea here is for you to learn enough that you find a few that work for you.

Behavior

You will learn to recognize where your thinking may be distorted or off. Once you can recognize this, you will be able to catch yourself before your urge to use or engage in risky behavior starts.

Balancing Your Life

If you started using because of stress like so many others, SMART Recovery can help you learn to get a handle on the stress in your life. Rather than turning to substances, sober living drug rehab can help you find more productive ways to handle a busy day.

Are You Ready for the First Step?

Are you asking what is SMART Recovery and if it’s right for you? Here, this program is free for everyone! Give it a try today at Beaches Recovery. We’re here to help, and the first step is just a quick phone call to 866.605.0532!