Lena Savoie
SMART Recovery is a relatively new alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for people seeking recovery from addiction. SMART Recovery is a group-based model with mutual self-help that focuses on evidence-based treatments and does not label participants as addicts or alcoholics. AA, on the other hand, is a 12-step program that characterizes addiction as a chronic disease. SMART Recovery views addiction as a maladaptive behavior that can be changed, empowering individuals to overcome their problems. While research on SMART Recovery is still emerging, studies suggest that it may be particularly effective for individuals with less severe alcohol problems who have higher socioeconomic resources. This article will explore the key differences between SMART Recovery and AA, including their approaches to problem drinkers and alcoholics, and examine the current research on their effectiveness in supporting recovery from alcohol use disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SMART Recovery | Self-Management and Recovery Training |
| SMART Recovery's view on alcoholism and addiction | Maladaptive behaviors that can be changed |
| SMART Recovery's target audience | People dealing with any type of addiction, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, overeating, sex addiction, or compulsive spending |
| SMART Recovery's program | Group-based model with mutual self-help |
| SMART Recovery's program basis | Evidence-based treatments which incorporate a wide range of interventions, such as CBT |
| SMART Recovery's program features | Abstinence from the use of substances, no labels for participants, online meetings |
| SMART Recovery's facilitators | Trained facilitators who are not required to be in recovery themselves |
| SMART Recovery's participants | Less severe problems with alcohol use, higher education, higher rates of employment, greater economic resources, less likely to have had prior treatment or involvement with the criminal justice system |
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What You'll Learn
- SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- SMART Recovery does not label participants as addicts or alcoholics
- SMART Recovery characterises alcoholism as a maladaptive behaviour that can be changed
- SMART Recovery does not base its program on a 12-step model, spiritual principles, or a higher power
- SMART Recovery is a group-based model with mutual self-help
SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
SMART Recovery, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a group-based addiction recovery model led by volunteers. It is designed to help people use the latest scientifically based treatments to overcome addiction. SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and welcomes people dealing with any type of addiction, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, overeating, sex addiction, or compulsive spending.
SMART Recovery is based on the idea that alcoholism and addiction are maladaptive behaviors that can be changed. It encourages people struggling with addiction to see themselves as empowered to overcome their problematic behaviors, rather than as powerless in the face of a chronic disease. This is a key difference from AA, which characterizes addiction as a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment. SMART Recovery does not use a 12-step model, spiritual principles, or a higher power, and it does not give participants labels such as "addict" or "alcoholic". Instead, it focuses on evidence-based treatments that incorporate a wide range of interventions, such as CBT.
Research on SMART Recovery is still emerging, and there have been few studies on its effectiveness. However, some studies have shown that SMART Recovery can be beneficial in reducing substance use and maintaining abstinence. One study found that participants who chose SMART Recovery tended to have less severe problems with alcohol use and more psychosocial and economic stability compared to those who attended AA. They had more education, higher rates of employment, and greater economic resources. SMART Recovery may be particularly well-suited for individuals with this profile.
Both SMART Recovery and AA are group-based models with mutual self-help, and both programs promote abstinence from substance use. However, SMART Recovery groups are led by trained facilitators who are not required to be in recovery themselves, while AA groups are led by members in recovery. AA has been around for much longer, and there is more evidence about what contributes to success with this approach. Factors that positively influence recovery in AA include having a sponsor, attending at least three meetings per week, and speaking at meetings.
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SMART Recovery does not label participants as addicts or alcoholics
SMART Recovery, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a group-based addiction recovery model that does not label participants as "addicts" or "alcoholics". Instead of labelling or pathologizing people with addiction, SMART Recovery encourages individuals to see themselves as empowered to overcome problematic behaviours. This is in contrast to other programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which characterize addiction as a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment.
SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to AA and other 12-step programs. It is based on scientific principles and does not incorporate spiritual or religious elements. The program is led by trained facilitators, who are not required to be in recovery themselves. SMART Recovery uses evidence-based treatments, such as CBT, and incorporates online meetings, which are not typically found in AA or NA.
The program welcomes people dealing with any type of addiction, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, overeating, sex addiction, or compulsive spending. Research suggests that peer support groups like SMART Recovery can enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. However, there is limited research specifically on SMART Recovery, and it is not as well-known or widely studied as AA and other 12-step programs.
Studies comparing individuals attending SMART Recovery, AA, both, or neither have found that SMART Recovery tends to attract individuals with greater psychosocial and economic stability and less severe alcohol-related impairment and legal involvement compared to those attending AA. Individuals who attended both AA and SMART Recovery groups were found to be more severely affected by alcohol problems and were seeking multiple avenues for help.
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SMART Recovery characterises alcoholism as a maladaptive behaviour that can be changed
SMART Recovery, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a group-based addiction recovery model that welcomes people dealing with any type of addiction, including alcohol. SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs.
SMART Recovery characterises alcoholism and addiction as maladaptive behaviours that can be changed. Unlike AA and NA, which view alcoholism as a chronic disease, SMART Recovery encourages people struggling with addiction to see themselves as empowered to overcome their problematic behaviours. This means that SMART Recovery does not label participants as "addicts" or "alcoholics". Instead, it focuses on evidence-based treatments, such as CBT, and incorporates online meetings.
The program is based on the idea that addiction is a progressive, relapsing disease that requires intensive treatment and continuing care. However, SMART Recovery emphasises personal agency and the use of scientifically based treatments to overcome addiction. This approach may be particularly attractive to individuals with greater psychosocial and economic stability and less severe alcohol-related impairment.
Research on the effectiveness of SMART Recovery for problematic alcohol use is still emerging, and there have been few studies conducted on the program. However, one RCT identified benefits of SMART Recovery, including a reduction in the percentage of days abstinent from alcohol and average drinks per day at the 3-month follow-up. Additionally, 94% of participants in a mixed-methods study in Australia reported benefits related to substance use, such as reduction or successful maintenance of abstinence.
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SMART Recovery does not base its program on a 12-step model, spiritual principles, or a higher power
SMART Recovery, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a group-based addiction recovery model led by volunteers. It is designed to help people use the latest scientifically based treatments to overcome addiction. SMART Recovery welcomes people dealing with any type of addiction, be it drugs, alcohol, gambling, overeating, sex addiction, or compulsive spending.
SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which were the main self-help groups available for people seeking recovery from addiction. However, not everyone was comfortable with the use of God and spiritual principles in those groups. SMART Recovery is based on the idea that alcoholism and addiction are maladaptive behaviors that can be changed. It encourages people struggling with addiction to see themselves as empowered to overcome their problematic behaviors, rather than as powerless in the face of a chronic disease.
While SMART Recovery and 12-step programs like AA and NA both promote abstinence from substance use, they differ in their fundamental approaches to addiction. AA and NA view alcoholism as a chronic disease that cannot be cured but can be managed through ongoing treatment. In contrast, SMART Recovery does not see addiction as a disease, although members are free to refer to their addiction as such if they wish. This key difference influences the strategies and expectations for recovery in each program.
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SMART Recovery is a group-based model with mutual self-help
SMART Recovery is led by trained facilitators who are not required to be in recovery themselves. This lack of "lived experience" is not perceived as a negative aspect of the program. SMART Recovery is particularly attractive to individuals with greater psychosocial and economic stability and less severe alcohol-related impairment and legal involvement compared to those who attend AA. These individuals tend to have more education, higher rates of employment, and greater economic resources. They also tend to have less severe problems with alcohol use and are less likely to have had prior treatment or involvement with the criminal justice system.
SMART Recovery characterizes alcoholism and addiction as maladaptive behaviors that can be changed. It encourages people struggling with addiction to see themselves as empowered to overcome their problematic behaviors rather than feeling powerless and at the mercy of a condition. This is in contrast to programs such as AA and NA, which characterize addiction as a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment throughout a person's life. Within this viewpoint, relapse is common and expected. SMART Recovery, on the other hand, promotes the idea that addiction is a behavior that can be changed, and abstinence can be achieved and maintained.
Research suggests that peer support groups can enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. SMART Recovery has been found to be effective in helping individuals reduce or cease substance use. In a study comparing an online alcohol intervention, in-person SMART Recovery meetings, and the two combined, all groups significantly reduced their percentage of days abstinent from alcohol and average drinks per day at the 3-month follow-up. However, a dose–response was only detected for these outcomes in the SMART Recovery-only group. Another study examined the integration of SMART Recovery into three public AOD treatment programs in Australia, with an average attendance of 6.5 people per meeting. Among the participants who completed the survey, 94% reported benefits relating to substance use, and 71% reported improved mental health.
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Frequently asked questions
SMART, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a group-based addiction recovery model led by volunteers. SMART Recovery welcomes people dealing with any type of addiction, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, overeating, sex addiction, or compulsive spending.
SMART Recovery characterizes alcoholism and addiction as maladaptive behaviors that can be changed. Rather than conceptualizing alcoholism and addiction as a chronic disease, SMART recovery encourages people struggling with addiction to see themselves as empowered to overcome their problematic behaviors.
SMART Recovery is a growing alternative to AA. One key difference is that SMART Recovery does not base its program on a 12-step model, spiritual principles, or a higher power. It instead focuses on evidence-based treatments which incorporate a wide range of interventions, such as CBT. SMART Recovery also does not give participants labels, such as "addict" or "alcoholic".
SMART Recovery tends to attract individuals with greater psychosocial and economic stability and less severe alcohol-related impairment and legal involvement compared to AA. SMART Recovery may be a particularly good fit for people with higher education, higher rates of employment, and greater economic resources.
Research suggests that peer support groups can amplify and extend treatment effects and enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. A study comparing an online alcohol intervention, in-person SMART Recovery meetings, and the two combined found that all groups significantly reduced their percentage of days abstinent from alcohol and average drinks per day at the 3-month follow-up.
