Has anyone else used SMART recovery to get sober?

Recovery
#1

Has anyone else used SMART recovery to get sober? I did and am curious to know if anyone else here did also.

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#2

I have not but I do hear it’s a quality program

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#3

I currently do

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#4

Id like to find one in my area. There is no AA either

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#5

Hi Al! I’ve been a SMART participant for a year and a half. I also recently got trained to be a facilitator

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#6

Hello Al,. The last two times I went to treatment (at the same place because it was so fantastic there), their program was smart recovery based. I loved it, learned so much about myself and how to apply tools I learned to my live, following Smart Recovery helped me greatly!

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#7

I’ve used it. It’s helpful and I prefer it to AA. But I do refuge recovery online

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#8

I’ve known people who tried it as adjunct to aa but someone recently told me that smart recovery teaches you how to drink responsibly. I find that hard to believe idk

#9

You can download zoom app and use aaintergroup.org to find meetings

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#10

I do too. Actually doing AA as well as part of a monitoring program I have a contract with that I needed for me to get my vet license back.

#11

There is nothing in SMART Recovery that leads one to believe that they can drink responsibly? That program is Moderation Management of which I failed miserably! Lol

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#12

No, that’s not accurate. SMART recovery states the best way to recovery is complete abstinence from any substance or behavior that one has had an addiction with. I got sober using SMART recovery and was never taught or encouraged to try moderation. Currently, because I have a contract with a physician’s monitoring group, I also attend AA meetings. The two can work together in one’s program despite some differences in approach.

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#13

Me too! Glad it was helpful to you too

#14

I got trained back in 2010, but never started my own group. I wish there was a group where I live to attend. May have to retrain and start one :slight_smile:

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#15

SMART recovery meetings are focused on learning tools that help people abstain from their problematic behaviors. You probably won’t see anyone in smart encouraging “drinking responsibly”, but smart honors peoples decision to practice harm reduction if that’s their choice

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#16

That’s a great idea. We can always use more meetings

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#17

Yes, I strongly endorse it. Science based, and it works so well for me

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#18

I have heard the SMART recovery is a good one. I went cold turkey. I did before I heard anything about AA or anything else.

#19

I took some SMART classes with a friend who was going through Diversion. In my opinion it is a useful community based recovery tool. Basically it's the same talk therapy as any 12 step program without the Higher Power/God angle. I'm 3 years clean with 16 years running a revolving door in and out. I'd say whatever helps one get clean is useful

#20

I agree. I like them both for different reasons. I do know SMART allows you to attend even if you're using but asks you not to share if you're under the influence.