Aug 21, 2013 | By Tim Stoddart
The Emergence and Controversy of SMART Recovery
RecoveryFor decades, twelve step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous have been the cornerstone for the recovery community as well as an essential tool in the toolkit of the recovering addict. What people may or may not be aware of is there are a handful of alternative, non-twelve step programs in existence. Some of these programs require abstinence from drugs and alcohol while others have a platform that features harm reduction or moderation. Examples of these alternative groups include LifeRing and Moderation Management, among others. The emergence of these alternative recovery groups have sparked controversy with the traditional step program community.
The focus of this article is on SMART Recovery, which has been called the leading non-step recovery support group. It is estimated there are about 700 meetings worldwide and growing in popularity. While there are tenets of the SMART Recovery philosophy that may be appealing to those who are hesitant in joining a step group like AA or NA, there are also controversies surrounding some of the core philosophies.
What Is The Different Between SMART Recovery vs. 12 Step Groups
The main difference seen between SMART Recovery and 12 Step groups is the core approach. Under the SMART Recovery lens, 12 Step groups focus on the powerlessness aspects of addiction while SMART recovery puts the onus more on empowering the addict to recover. In psychological terms, the core philosophies boil down to what is termed the locus of control. For those with an internal locus of control, the future is seen as something that will be dictated on how one makes it out to be. On the other hand, those with an external locus of control the future is expected to hinge of how outside forces shape events and situations.
SMART Recovery focuses on the internal locus aspects. For example, if people are having cravings and thoughts of using, the SMART philosophy would put emphasis on learning how to deal with those cravings. There is work done on identifying the motivation behind the thoughts of using as well as what underlying personal issues one may be having. From those foundations, strategies can be implemented so an individual can change their situations and hopefully achieve balance.
In the eyes of the SMART Recovery community, implementing courage and promoting being proactive leads to self-empowerment. This overall concept stands in contrast to the more traditional 12 step approach in which there needs to be understanding that one is powerless in the face of addiction and the acceptance of that fact.
Structure of SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is based on four principles: 1) Building and maintaining motivation 2) Coping with urges 3) Problem solving and 4) Achieving a more balanced lifestyle. The program’s foundation is based on techniques and methods based on the principles of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. This philosophy of therapy, in layman’s terms, states that an individual can be taught to strive for emotional well-being and balance by changing negative and unhealthy thoughts into positive thoughts.
SMART meetings are usually 60-90 in length and are led by a trained SMART facilitator. After a brief introduction, those in attendance can introduce themselves and have the option to let the group know how they have been doing and coping since their last meeting. After the introduction the agenda for the meeting is laid out and based on tools and strategies based in SMART Recovery philosophy that help combat addictive behavior and thoughts. At the conclusion, participants have the opportunity to openly discuss how the meeting went and what they found helpful. Crosstalk and discussion are encouraged in SMART recovery.
Controversy
One of the main controversies concerning SMART Recovery is there can be a possibility that some alcoholics can reverse addictive patterns of using through moderation and not abstinence. An often cited study used to bolster that statement is a summary from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol Related Conditions (NESARC). From that summary, SMART proponents note that data finds that around half of the people who have had a diagnosis of alcohol dependence end of moderating successfully.
Others, especially on recovery oriented threads and forums feel that SMART Recovery may be engaging in AA bashing which some feel is the modus operandi of the non-traditional recovery groups. Upon closer inspection, SMART Recovery does not advocate moderation explicitly and in their literature and handbooks it does state that SMART Recovery is an abstinence based program. With the emergence of recovery programs like SMART Recovery, it points to the fact that recovery is not a “one size fits all” paradigm.
For some in recovery, a traditional twelve-step approach may not be the best fit in its entirety. Other approaches, such as SMART Recovery tenets and philosophies, may be a much needed complementary piece to the recovery puzzle.
Tim Powers – bald, tattooed, a business professional by day and rocker by night. Sober by the grace of God since the 8th of May in the year of our Lord 2003. Sharing my stories and myself in order to pay it forward. You can follow me on Twitter @tpowersbass42
DRSheeley
11 years ago
SMART Recovery is a very useful program, and I am now sober over 3 years using SMART.
SMART Recovery is an abstinence based program, not a moderating program.
SMART Recovery is based on therapeutic modalities which have been proven to be effective in psychological research over the past 60 years. These include Motivational Interviewing, which SMART includes per se in its facilitator training, and also incorporates into the CBA, or Cost Benefit Analysis Tool. SMART also includes Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy tools called ABCs to help solve problems involving thoughts and feelings in one’s life. Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which has been proven effective in research studies in many different psychological and behavioral disorders.
SMART Recovery is useful for those who choose it and use it to improve themselves. In a SMART meeting, for example, one can openly address one’s “issues” with life and learn tools to zero in on how to handle those issues.
There is no controversy about rational thinking, or about proven psychological tools.
Over 900 SMART face-to-face meetings provide support for people who are interested in improving their lives and changing their behavior, actively and deliberately.
A lot of people go to both 12 Step and SMART. In recovery, we use whatever Tools keep us healthy and sober. “Take what you can use, and leave the rest.”
DRSheeley
11 years ago
SMART Recovery is a very useful program, and I am now sober over 3 years using SMART.
SMART Recovery is an abstinence based program, not a moderating program.
SMART Recovery is based on therapeutic modalities which have been proven to be effective in psychological research over the past 60 years. These include Motivational Interviewing, which SMART includes per se in its facilitator training, and also incorporates into the CBA, or Cost Benefit Analysis Tool. SMART also includes Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy tools called ABCs to help solve problems involving thoughts and feelings in one’s life. Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which has been proven effective in research studies in many different psychological and behavioral disorders.
SMART Recovery is useful for those who choose it and use it to improve themselves. In a SMART meeting, for example, one can openly address one’s “issues” with life and learn tools to zero in on how to handle those issues.
There is no controversy about rational thinking, or about proven psychological tools.
Over 900 SMART face-to-face meetings provide support for people who are interested in improving their lives and changing their behavior, actively and deliberately.
A lot of people go to both 12 Step and SMART. In recovery, we use whatever Tools keep us healthy and sober. “Take what you can use, and leave the rest.”
Claire Saenz
11 years ago
I do not believe there is actually any controversy surrounding SMART Recovery. It is an abstinence based program. It does not bash AA or any other recovery program. And best of all: it works! I owe my life, sanity and 15 years of contented abstinence to SMART Recovery.
AUSSIEBEG
11 years ago
This article seems to be an attempt to paint an objective picture of the SMART Recovery organization and program, for which I am appreciative. As the Founding President of the SMART Recovery Self-Help Network and as someone who has facilitated over 3000 SMART Recovery meetings worldwide, I feel competent to make a few critiques.
As of July, there were 938 SMART Recovery meetings worldwide. [SMART is training about 90 facilitators per month]. smartrecovery.org attracts about 80,000 visitors per month. There are over 90,000 registrants. NADCP (National Association of Drug Court Professionals) joined a long list of endorsing organizations in July.
I do believe one can find no reference to justify the allegation that the SMART Recovery Program or organization teaches or promotes any stance other than abstinence for people with addictions (barring food addiction, of course). PERIOD!
Because the SMART Recovery Program uses extensively the Motivational Interviewing approach in its meetings, we do not tell people what to do. Consequently, if someone is trying to moderate, he/she is welcome to our meetings, on the theory that it is more desirable that he/she attend recovery meetings rather than to not attend recovery meetings, but he/she will not hear anything about any methodology or technique to help the person achieve moderation. Naturally, if a regular attendee indicates that he/she has cut down from a liter a day of hard liquor to a half-liter, he/she would not be likely to hear from the participants that this was not a desirable accomplishment and, likely, encouragement to continue in that direction to zero. I do not think that this stance constitutes advocacy of or teaching of a moderation approach to addictions. All of our tools are directed towards achieving abstinence. We do want to help people clarify their thinking so that they can make better decisions for themselves.
Here in MA about 30% of the participants who attend SMART meetings regularly and consider it their primary recovery modality also attend AA/NA meetings. We are firm believers in Bill W’s admonition to utilize “Whatever Works”.
Joe G
AUSSIEBEG
11 years ago
This article seems to be an attempt to paint an objective picture of the SMART Recovery organization and program, for which I am appreciative. As the Founding President of the SMART Recovery Self-Help Network and as someone who has facilitated over 3000 SMART Recovery meetings worldwide, I feel competent to make a few critiques.
As of July, there were 938 SMART Recovery meetings worldwide. [SMART is training about 90 facilitators per month]. smartrecovery.org attracts about 80,000 visitors per month. There are over 90,000 registrants. NADCP (National Association of Drug Court Professionals) joined a long list of endorsing organizations in July.
I do believe one can find no reference to justify the allegation that the SMART Recovery Program or organization teaches or promotes any stance other than abstinence for people with addictions (barring food addiction, of course). PERIOD!
Because the SMART Recovery Program uses extensively the Motivational Interviewing approach in its meetings, we do not tell people what to do. Consequently, if someone is trying to moderate, he/she is welcome to our meetings, on the theory that it is more desirable that he/she attend recovery meetings rather than to not attend recovery meetings, but he/she will not hear anything about any methodology or technique to help the person achieve moderation. Naturally, if a regular attendee indicates that he/she has cut down from a liter a day of hard liquor to a half-liter, he/she would not be likely to hear from the participants that this was not a desirable accomplishment and, likely, encouragement to continue in that direction to zero. I do not think that this stance constitutes advocacy of or teaching of a moderation approach to addictions. All of our tools are directed towards achieving abstinence. We do want to help people clarify their thinking so that they can make better decisions for themselves.
Here in MA about 30% of the participants who attend SMART meetings regularly and consider it their primary recovery modality also attend AA/NA meetings. We are firm believers in Bill W’s admonition to utilize “Whatever Works”.
Joe G
Rebecca
10 years ago
Thanks so much for both the artical and the comments. I have found that any help is useful to my recovery and continual sobriety. Whatever works, indeed!
Nicole
10 years ago
First I love this site. It is always full of amazing stories from others in recovery and awesome article about recovery itself. That being said I don’t feel as though people should be made to choose between programs. If a little bit from 12 step and a little bit from non12 step works for me and my recovery then that’s what I’m going to base it around. Take a little from each…learn and grow. Instead of being against each other these communities should be more or less working together to achieve the ultimate goal (recovery) that is the same for both. programs. Good luck to everyone and keep up the good work 🙂
Stephen
7 years ago
Good luck getting a 12 step program to work with anyone else or support another groups ideas. Thats why I don’t like aa. They tell you to be open minded about their program, but close off to others. I feel that for religious people and yes I did say religious people, or for people who havent developed a belief system yet AA or na is good for. As for someone set in their ways as atheist or agnostic who wants a therapeutic approach, that actually gives you a strong sense of self, go to smart.
RedWingNut1
10 years ago
You’re trying to imply that people using SMART are sitting around “AA bashing?” Is this some sort of joke?
Most of the people I know at SMART have never even mentioned AA. Why would we?
Try to evolve a bit. People have choices now (thankfully!) and SMART’s one of them. And people that use other methods don’t sit around and fret and worry about what the people at AA are doing. We just don’t care about AA as much as you think we do.
Try to get over yourselves. Everyone else has.
Greg Robertson
10 years ago
SMART Recovery is not an abstinence based program. If abstinence is a goal then it is supported. As it has been stated take what is useful and supports your recovery. Harm minimization is an important principle to consider in the first instance.
Autumn Gray Eakin
6 years ago
Actually, SMART is explicitly abstinence based. People are welcome to talk about how they use the program during check in at meetings, but not to promote any method other than abstinence for others.
Kim
10 years ago
SMART IS an abstinence based program and if you are receiving information to the contrary, then you are receiving false information. I have been in SMART recovery since May of this year and it is working wonderfully for me. I attend every week and there is no AA bashing, at least not at my meeting. Though I do not incorporate a 12 step program in my recovery, I agree 100% with an earlier commenter that there is nothing wrong with taking what you need from a number of places to create a custom recovery program for yourself. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and I would be leery of any program that doesn’t allow for flexibility.
Josh
9 years ago
SMART is an abstinence based program. I have 2 years of wonderful sobriety through SMART. I go to a weekly face to face meeting where we have 35 participants and most all are very close. I was in AA for 8 years before I changed to SMART and was able to get sober.
Kenneth D. Weinberg
7 years ago
12 Step groups do not focus on the powerlessness aspects of addiction, Members accept the powerlessness of addiction and then begin working on the things they have power over, like going to meetings. 12 step groups do put the onus on empowering the addict to recover. Anyone who has ever worked the 12 steps knows that a higher power doesn’t do the steps for them. The onus is on the addict, absolutely no one else.. If someone had power over their using they wouldnt come to smart recovery, They would simply stop using.
The Smart recovery process is no less an element of the universe than the the 12 steps and therefore a tool of a higher power just like the 12 steps.. If it works has to require greaty commiment by the addict. And yes if someone is willing to put in all of the work they clearly realize they cant stop on their own. Why would anyone invest in great effort if they could just stop.
12 step programs focus on the internal locus aspects. For example, if people are having cravings and thoughts of using, the 12 step program would would put emphasis on learning how to deal with those cravings by using meetings, learning acceptance, calling others, helping others, consulting with sponsor, reading the liturature and a ton of other tools which ultimately help reqwire the brain. The 4th stepidentifying the motivation behind the thoughts of using as well as what underlying personal issues one may be having. From those foundations, strategies can be implemented so an individual can change their situations and hopefully achieve balance. In otherwords smart recovery is claiming to do what 12 steps do and pretending that 12 steps do something difference,
When I went to a smart recovery meeting I saw there was no greeting, no fellowship, no celebration, no sponsors, no reference to literature The meeting was led by a health professional who was not an addict and therefore from my experience was unlikly to get what it is like to be obsessed with using. If smart recovery was my fellowship I would likely be dead..
The prayer asks for; THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS i CANNOT CHANGE *thereby freeing me to focus on the stuff I can,) tHE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS i CAN ( going to meetings, working the steps, helping others, etc,, and THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE and that took working the steps.
You see recovery isnt really about staying sober, even though that is imporant, it is about having a happy life.
If you want to know about recovery check out your local 12 step meeting. Many nillions of peeople stary sober every day in the US alome.
Autumn Gray Eakin
6 years ago
Accepted addiction science says that recovery treatment must be individualized to be effective. There is no single “one and only true way” to recovery as I heard repeatedly emphasized in my almost three years using 12 step meetings. 12 steps were ineffective for me, I am not powerless to change on my own and a doorknob cannot help me get clean. 12 steps don’t work for many who are not religious.
Legally, by “uncommonly well-established” court case precedents on the local, district, and federal levels, 12 step meetings are, by their definition, religious, no matter how often attendees claim otherwise. Don’t push your religion down my throat. You believe what works for you, I accept that. Why won’t you except that what you believe for you does not work for every single person? Me using another program does not make your program any less effective, there is no reason to go to war on other recovery programs when there are as many ways to recover as there are people in recovery. My program is not a threat to yours. There is plenty of recovery to go around.
Shannon L. Freng
4 years ago
AA is just poorly-veiled Evangelicalism. You honestly don’t feel you appear ludicrous when you deny your organization has any religiosity about it, even though several American high courts have ruled it to meet the legal definition of a religious organization, if not a cult religion? You are, indeed, bizarre.
Autumn Gray Eakin
6 years ago
SMART Recovery now has more than 1400 weekly meetings in the U.S. alone, the figures in this article are inaccurate. Bashing (or promoting) other recovery programs is explicitly discouraged at almost every SMART meeting, also. Please make sure research is accurate before posting it as fact.
Shannon L. Freng
4 years ago
I drank beer like an elephant for 25 years, and then ceased–with no application to any form of “assistance.” All this recovery bullshit (besides the money aspect) is just so self-pitying people can get sympathy from others, because they’re merely immature and/or idiots. Yes, I know I’ll be called an asshole, but when I was a child, and I was naughty enough, my grandmother wasn’t above giving me a swat. I realize there are mature people who go in for this group help thing, but at least they show an appropriate dignity about it, rather then these zealous types that have to go about wearing a sandwich board sign, proclaiming they’re in recovery. I live in a building which mostly has post rehab guys for tenants, and they don’t shut up about the shit. i’ll be glad when i’m no longer there.
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