How Can Smart Recovery Help You Recover?

Addiction recovery is a lifelong process of self-healing. You aren’t just working to remain sober but developing a new and healthy way to live your life. 

Addiction is different for everyone experiencing it, and you may be accustomed to some addiction treatment methods that are one-size-fits-all. However, SMART Recovery is a different way to view yourself and your addiction.

What Is SMART Recovery?

The letters in SMART Recovery stand for “self-management and recovery training.” SMART Recovery is an alternative to the well-known 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

The official SMART Recovery website describes its purpose as supporting “individuals who have chosen to abstain or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions; and to work towards long-term satisfaction and quality of life.”

Through both in-person and online meetings, SMART Recovery offers a variety of teachings and methods to help you succeed in recovery.

For instance, it teaches self-reliance and empowerment, encourages recovery, offers techniques for positive change, involves open discussions, advocates for mental health treatment, and follows advancing scientific knowledge about addiction recovery.

SMART Recovery is a four-point program that includes:

• Point 1: building and maintaining motivation
• Point 2: coping with urges
• Point 3: managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Point 4: living a balanced life

Each of these stages provides individuals with the tools and methods they need to live a fulfilling and substance-free life.

This addiction recovery program features mutual support groups from around the world where members help each other empower themselves to change.

The modernization of this program makes it ideal for many people. SMART Recovery has an app that offers a confidential program to track your progress and participate in your recovery.

With their numerous online meetings and 24/7 message board, they provide support for those in recovery at every stage and any time of day or night. Technology plays a massive role in our lives, so incorporating it into your addiction recovery offers a unique benefit.

For years, groups like AA were the only programs for those in addiction recovery, but an alternative was bound to form due to the criticism of AA’s religious and spiritual aspects. SMART Recovery instead focuses on self-empowerment rather than spiritual guidance.

For those who have tried AA or NA without luck or are in search of a mutual support group for addiction recovery, SMART Recovery could be the right match.

SMART, Stage by Stage

Instead of a 12-Step program, SMART Recovery’s four stages offer a new approach to recovery.

The first stage is building and maintaining motivation, which is a practical step. Having the desire to be sober is key.

Once you’ve decided what you want, the next stage is coping with urges, where you start to learn how to accomplish that through analyzing your triggers and stressors and finding the best methods for coping.

Thirdly, managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors teaches you how to avoid relapse, build confidence, and handle the more challenging aspects of life.

Finally, living a balanced life is the basis of recovery. Setting practical expectations for yourself and working toward them leads to an effective recovery. 

Seeing Addiction as a Bad Habit Instead of a Disease

SMART Recovery also views addiction as a behavioral issue rather than a disease, which gives you more power in your recovery. Instead of feeling controlled by addiction, those in SMART Recovery are empowered to overcome such behaviors. Instead of relying on a higher power to control your life, SMART Recovery essentially puts the ball in your court. You are meant to make the changes you want to see in your life and build confidence based on your progress. 

You also have the positive support of others in the program (in-person and online) to inspire you and offer advice along the way. 

With SMART Recovery’s modern take on meetings and progress tracking, it is ideal for those who are busy or reliant on technology. When you can’t make a meeting in person, SMART Recovery offers a free online community of peers to communicate with and support. 

The online aspect alone might be enough to convince you that SMART Recovery is for you. The ability to find support at any time and on your terms can be enough to boost your confidence and motivate you to push through in recovery.

Although AA and SMART Recovery are both valid methods for recovery support, based on your preference and needs, one could be a lot more effective for you. 

SMART Recovery can help you recover from addiction through mutual support, evidence-based therapies, and self-empowerment.

A Program Focused On Personal Accountability

SMART Recovery is an effective and evidence-based addiction recovery program that relies on the individual's ability and desire to change their addictive behavior. In SMART Recovery, addiction is not a disease but a behavioral problem that can be dealt with through our unique stages of desire to change, methods of coping, managing life, and remaining positive and balanced. Rather than focusing on the negative or your lack of control, this program teaches that you have to take pride in your progress and empower yourself to overcome addiction.

Community-based support during recovery is always better than doing it alone. The same holds true for detox. The first critical step in recovery, alcohol and drug detox allows harmful substances to leave the body in a safe, monitored environment. DetoxNearMe.com gives you the tools you need to find a reputable, effective detox center near you. With thousands of listings, finding your detox solution has never been easier.

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