SMART Recovery is one of the largest alcohol addiction support groups in the world, but it also helps people overcome many other harmful habits. These include substance abuse, gambling, eating, exercise and self-injury.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SMART Recovery Australia adapted their meetings to an online format. This study evaluated SMART Australia’s success in scaling up online meetings during the pandemic and how attendees perceived their experience and contribution to their recovery.
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What is SMART Recovery?
SMART Recovery is a non-spiritual alternative to 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). It uses self-empowering tools to help people who are struggling with addiction, including drug, alcohol, gambling, and food.
The program’s science-based approach is rooted in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Meetings are held face-to-face or online, and use a combination of video, voice, and chat box features to provide support for members across the country.
SMART Recovery meetings are open to anyone who is looking for a supportive environment and peer-led tools for their recovery from addiction. They also welcome the friends and family of a person with substance-related issues.
What happens at a SMART Recovery meeting?
If you’re looking for a recovery meeting where you can meet others who are also experiencing the same challenges, a SMART Recovery meeting might be the answer. It offers a scientifically-based approach to helping people overcome addictions.
SMART Recovery is an alternative to 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These groups were founded on spiritual principles but SMART Recovery is based on science and focuses on self-empowerment rather than powerlessness.
The meetings are usually run by trained facilitators and they tend to last around an hour and a half (check individual meetings for details). They begin with a short opening statement from the facilitator before everyone shares something in terms of their progress.
The majority of the meeting is spent discussing the issues attendees have been dealing with in their own lives. This can include a variety of topics, including relapse and recovery, and it often incorporates established therapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.
Online SMART recovery meetings are a great way to get support from others without ever leaving your home. These weekly 90-minute sessions are led by a trained facilitator using a combination of video, voice and chat box.
SMART recovery meetings are run by volunteers to help people in recovery from addictions such as drug, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes and food. They are non-judgmental and encourage sharing of personal experiences in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Despite the fact that online meetings are growing, more research is needed on whether they have any impact on substance use and other recovery outcomes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SMART Recovery Australia scaled up online mutual aid meeting attendance and reported positive results on perceptions of participation amongst participants who had attended in-person meetings before the pandemic.
SMART Recovery is for everyone.
SMART Recovery meetings are open to anyone who wants to help themselves or someone they know. SMART Recovery is not an offshoot of AA or NA, but rather it uses evidence-based tools to empower people in recovery from addiction to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, etc.
During group meetings, participants learn to develop and maintain motivation for recovery. They also learn to identify and suppress cravings and replace irrational beliefs with rational, healthy ones.
This is especially important in the early stages of recovery when the individual must decide whether or not to give up using drugs and alcohol. These are often the most difficult periods for everyone, and having an established support network can be a lifesaver.
During the COVID-19 restrictions, SMART Recovery has expanded its offering of online groups. This has provided a unique opportunity to understand how the community perceives the benefits of online mutual support and how this can be enhanced through digital monitoring.