SMART Recovery in California

What Is the SMART Recovery Concept?

SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is an evidence-based addiction recovery support program that helps participants take control of their recovery journey through self-directed change. Unlike traditional 12-step rehab programs, SMART focuses on teaching practical skills for addiction recovery. Smart addiction recovery emphasizes rational thinking, emotional management, and personal motivation. The program is based on cognitive-behavioral and motivational enhancement therapies, helping participants develop coping strategies, identify triggers, and build sustainable recovery plans through a structured, educational approach.

Therapists typically facilitate meetings and can be conducted in-person or online, making the support accessible to a wide range of people struggling with various types of addictive behaviors. The program is evidence-based and welcomes participants regardless of their specific addiction, whether it involves substances like alcohol and drugs or behavioral addictions like gambling or compulsive eating. SMART Recovery emphasizes personal choice, self-empowerment, and continuous personal growth as key elements in achieving long-term recovery.

What Are the Four Points of SMART Recovery?

The SMART Recovery program consists of a four-point addiction recovery process:

1. Building and maintaining motivation: This point focuses on helping participants develop and sustain their internal motivation for recovery by identifying personal reasons for change. The process involves creating a personalized goal of a life free from addiction and developing strategies to stay committed to that objective
2. Coping with urges: This point addresses the practical management of cravings and impulses that can trigger addictive behaviors. Participants learn cognitive and behavioral techniques to recognize, understand, and effectively manage the triggers of the addiction without succumbing to them.
3. Managing thoughts and emotions: This point focuses on the importance of emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring in addiction recovery. Participants learn to identify and challenge self-destructive thought patterns that may contribute to addictive behaviors.
4. Living a balanced life: The final point addresses holistic personal development and creating a fulfilling life beyond addiction. Participants work on setting realistic life goals, improving relationships, and developing healthy lifestyle habits that provide satisfaction.

What Is the Success Rate of SMART Recovery?

A study published in the National Libary of Medicine recruited 189 heavy problem drinkers primarily through SMART Recovery’s website and in-person meetings throughout the U.S. A three-month study of the participants in the program found that they significantly increased their percent days of not drinking from 44% to 72%, decreased their mean drinks per drinking day from 8.0 to 4.6 while also lessening their alcohol/drug-related problems.

SMART Recovery’s evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral approach can be effective for people wanting a more scientific, self-directed method of addiction treatment. Success rates will depend on factors like individual commitment, frequency of meeting attendance, active engagement with program strategies, and the specific type of addiction being addressed. However, by using the program to learn how to manage cravings, develop coping mechanisms, and maintain sobriety through its structured approach to addiction recovery, many people report positive growth toward recovery.

How Long Does SMART Recovery Last?

The length of any addiction recovery program will vary based on the participant’s addiction history and motivation to get clean. However, SMART is designed to be a flexible program without a predetermined timeline. This flexibility allows participants to go through the recovery process at their own pace. While other addiction recovery programs like AA may have more structured timelines, SMART Recovery encourages participants to continue attending meetings and utilizing program tools for as long as they find them beneficial in maintaining their recovery.

Attendance for meetings is typically expected to be once or twice a week during the initial stages of recovery, with the frequency gradually reducing as participants develop stronger self-management skills and feel more comfortable maintaining their sobriety. Some participants might participate in SMART Recovery for several months, while others continue attending meetings periodically for years to use the program as an ongoing support system.

Access Smart Addiction Recovery at Resurgence Behavioral Health

With evidence-based treatment at the forefront of our addiction treatment services, Resurgence Behavioral Health provides patients with SMART addiction recovery programs. Research has shown SMART Recovery to be s an effective, secular alternative to 12-step programs with a more spiritual aspect to addiction recovery. We provide each of our patients with a customized treatment plan to ensure they can access the ideal type of treatment that fits their recovery needs. In addition to SMART Recovery, our treatment facility offers detox, inpatient, outpatient, and sober living services to help patients access professional support throughout their recovery journey. Please call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 today to learn more about how we can help you access evidence-based treatment today.

External Sources

• SMART Recovery – Scientifically Supported Recovery
• National Libary of Medicine – Overcoming Addictions, a Web-Based Application, and SMART Recovery, an Online and In-Person Mutual Help Group for Problem Drinkers