What is SMART Recovery?

Understanding SMART Recovery SMART Recovery is an acronym that stands for “Self-Management and Recovery Training.” According to the SMART Recovery website, the purpose of SMART Recovery is to “support 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.” SMART Recovery VS 12 Step It is important to know that SMART Recovery is not a 12 step program, like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. In fact, there are many marked differences between SMART Recovery and 12 step programs. They include: Progression VS Stages. The 12 step program guides its users through different steps. In order to reach the next step, the previous one needs to be completed in full. Every step is treated the same for each person, no matter where in their recovery process they are. With the SMART Recovery program, your particular phase in your addiction has its own approach and treatment, and you do not move onto the next stage until you are ready. You don’t have to “complete” or “achieve” anything with SMART Recovery. Graduating VS Ongoing Recovery. All 12 step programs believe that addiction is a lifelong disease that needs ongoing care and treatment. Once an addict, always an addict. SMART Recovery avoids using labels and believes people are able to graduate out of the pr...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Addiction Addiction Recovery Addiction Treatment and Program Resources Drug Rehab Information Drug Treatment Sober Living and Aftercare Substance Abuse addiction recovery programs addiction treatment center drug addiction recovery full Source Type: blogs