SMART Theory in Recovery
Research RKT
Empower with tools for change!!
In my SU-19_PSY3413-WA01A Substance Abuse and Addictive Behavior - D. Rutledge, we had the honor of researching different 12 Step programs and the SMART philosophy.
May it help empower anyone on a journey...
The research on this web page comes from Videos, books and web pages about just this.
Thank you
Richard Thompson
You can't always get what you want... But...
From- Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., Blevins, G. A. (2015). Substance abuse counseling (5th Edition). Pacific Grove, CA:
From- Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., Blevins, G. A. (2015). Substance abuse counseling (5th Edition). Pacific Grove, CA:
For instance, Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is not “professional treatment,” rather, it offers freely available peer-support groups based
SMART’S stated purpose is to support individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching them how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions, and how to work toward long-term satisfactions and quality of life.
They state in their materials:
1. We help individuals gain independence from addictive behavior.
2. We teach how to
a. b. c. d.
enhance and maintain motivation to abstain cope with urges manage thoughts, feelings and behavior balance momentary and enduring satisfaction
3. Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge, and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves.
4. Individuals who have gained independence from addictive behavior are invited to stay involved with us, to enhance their gains and help others.
Source: From SMART Recovery, Mentor, OH. Used with permission.
According to SMART:
• SMART Recovery has a scientific foundation, not a spiritual one. • SMART Recovery teaches increasing self-reliance, rather than powerlessness.
SMART Recovery views addictive behavior as a maladaptive, bad habit, rather than as a disease.
• SMART Recovery meetings are discussion meetings in which individuals talk with, encourage, and share ideas with one another.
• SMART Recovery encourages attendance for months to years, but probably not a lifetime.
• There are no sponsors in SMART Recovery. • SMART Recovery discourages use of labels such as “alcoholic” or “addict.”
Source: From SMART Recovery, Mentor, OH. Used with permission.
Outlined below are the common beliefs behind SMART and Rational Recovery (another rational-emotive approach that is an alternative to traditional AA or NA groups):
• People are largely responsible for their drug and alcohol use behaviors. • People do “get over,” that is, completely recover from their addictions. • Lifetime membership is not a requirement. It is thought that some people
recover quickly, others in 1 or 2 years. • Labeling one as an addict or alcoholic is discouraged to avoid the negative
outcomes associated with labeling. • Alcohol dependence or other drug dependencies are not “diseases” in the
common sense. They are, instead, life consuming, massive behavioral problems with broad ramifications and people with these problems need to learn to cope with them and take direct responsibility for their life course.
• People with alcohol and other drug use problems are good people. Removing the alcohol or drug problem makes people happier and healthier, but it does not in and of itself make them “better people.”
• Counselors should work to help their clients get to a process of change that is internally motivated, safe, and productive. Motivational techniques are effective to help ease the transition from problem use to nonuse.
• Self-recovery, spontaneous remission, and user-directed change happens all the time. A person’s own resources and decision-making capacity coupled with other variables such as familial support is often the key to a life free of substances. Counselors can be part of this process but it requires a belief that clients can do it on their own. In cases like this the counselor might be seen as a consultant and only seen once or twice. This speaks to the need to view every interaction we have with a person suffering from substance use problems as a discreet opportunity to instill hope, provide encouragement, and bolster self-confidence and self-efficacy.
From my post in Rochester College on the SMART topic...
Reply and beyond - by RKT
by Richard Thompson - Monday, May 27, 2019, 1:08 PM
In reading chapter 5, watching videos, researching the SMART ethos and taking a plethora of notes on all the above, I must say that this is so refreshing to know that there is more than just AA!!! I say this because I always challenged the idea of having just one train of thought to a self help group. I also have a loathing to the fact, that the mindset is a label in AA (I am an alcoholic) this is a psychological prison, from what I see.
Plus, in the field of humanity there are some that do not believe in God and thus AA would not be a total buy in. Also, the fact that saying alcoholism is a disease, I have never quite understood as it seems to be a rationalization and I have yet to see it be proven scientifically that any human can catch this disease.
That being said, I applaud our professor for introducing this SMART program and indeed I find it beyond brilliant and much more empowering to those that wish to conquer any habit cognitively with tools.
The role any self help group plays in the journey to conquering a habit is that of empowerment. The groups are a way to admit to oneself that there is a need to change and admitting this to yourself and then to a group is humbling and creates a support group that can be life changing. The group is a safe place and becomes habitual in a schedule and a family like atmosphere is comforting. Thus, depending on what the person into the group is what the person gets out of it.
The contrast of AA to SMART, as I stated my own personal reasons above in a cognitively manner are vast. In my limited scope of knowledge, only research and my own personal experience in group therapy, I stand firm that… when a person is empowered with concrete tools to use rather than a prayer the outcome is higher.
Thus the weaknesses of AA, as I see it, is more mantra than tools. The SMART weakness, as I see it could possibly be not enough group sharing. The strengths of AA 12 step program is the group dynamic, a higher power and habitual meetings. The strength in the SMART is the fact it is empowering with education and tools to use.
In my personal experience of group therapy, I found that I was more frustrated than empowered because I wanted concrete steps to help myself. Instead I was subject to a mantra and listening to the others drone on about their problems. The facilitator came across like a know it all and had activities that were specific to her white privileged upbringing. I demanded study materials and there were none. It was a terrible experience and indeed was insulting to my intellect and everyone there looking for help.
The bottom line is that any group therapy to help is indeed a gift, the real change is not the group but the individual.
End of post...
The following is from my research and yes above and beyond what Professor Rutlidge asked for of 300-450 words. I do hope I am not docked because I went over the allotted word count. However, it is brilliant and I will take the hit to go above and beyond in my research because I am going to use this with myself and my students, and I thought if one of my classmates is inspired by the notes to dig deeper , it could literally save someones life!
So here goes...
I was beyond ecstatic when I researched the SMART ethos and tools. I spent over 5 hours delving into the material and videos…
The ones I speak of are...
1- An Intro to Smart Recovery by Curtis Boudreau at Sobriety.ca
Play Video
2- SMART Recovery® - Who We Are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VYvXzSEdLE
3- SMART Recovery - Being Where You Are and Doing What's Important
Play Video
4- SMART Recovery Tool Box
https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/
The main research and notes I wish to share for those that wish to delve deeper or even care to is the "Intro to Smart Recovery by Curtis Boudreau at Sobriety.ca"
I must admit when I first saw it, I was not impressed with the opening,it seemed pathetically made and yet it was the most helpful! The host went way to fast in his delivery and did not really empower the attendees with the curriculum, yet it was so eye opening and I spent hours pausing and writing notes because the content is so brilliant!.
Here are my notes from this video…
- Personalizing approach - Own it we take care of it
S
M
A
R
T
Self
Management
And
Recovery
Training
- Your recovery is not the same as mine…
- Recovery is what I do for myself, it's the next step I take it is a gift
- SMART is Training not therapy…
- Tools, tips, techniques and strategies - Training
- REBT
Rational/emotive/Behavior/Therapy
Behavior change is why we come into recovery
Behavior is backed up to emotion
Emotion backed up a thought
Do anything then feeling feeling comes from my thinking
If I feel it - it is real
- 1- Building and maintaining motivation
The bottom is your bottom, its when you put the shovel down…
Stress of relapse, the bottom is when I have had enough, its my bottom,
Are you sick of it????
When you have enough - you come into the room…
Do I want to quit? - Different stages of change
- Pre -Contemplation - I am not ready to quit - Active addiction
- Contemplation - I am thinking of cleaning up
-Action - I am making the change
-Maintenance - what I do to keep the gift and maintain the drive
- Exit - I am intuitive and making it happen - moving on
The memory of pain starts to fade… it's a relapse of recovery
Not if it's when my thinking goes south,
- 2- Dealing with urges and cravings
Urge - I Want
Crave - I need
Urges - 3 facts - A thought / A thought is harmless / Natural
Need tools to not act out
Thoughts / Feelings/Behaviors
3- Problem SolvingHigh motivation / issues are manageable
Keep issues manageable - Motivation high
- 4- Lifestyle Balance
Put legs on the table - If I put stuff in my pie chart it fills the void
Addiction concern is always there
Labels can be dangerous in AA “I am Name and I am An Alcoholic”
Like the Romans
Give yourself a chance - Celebrate the successes…
Keep the pie chart full!
If full no time for relapses
It is not running from an addiction - it is keeping myself occupied
- TOOLS
- 1- Cost Benefit Analysis
Create a quadrant
Using on top / Not using bottom
Pros and cons
Pros of using - keeping addiction
It does help… what does it help?
How does it feel - Emotions / Euphoria /Socialize /Escape / Pain /Fear
Cons of using.
Scare people away / Financial / Children/ Jail / Institutions / Debt / legal / physical /
What about Cons of Cleaning up…
Reality / it is hard / I'm crazy / I have to deal with this /
Pros of being clean…
Dreams / imagine a better life / where do you want your life to be?
Peaceful today
Then rate everything from 1-10 in importance
So rate each thing…
Go through each one of these things and see if they are short term and long term.
Short term
Long term
What is the big picture of my life?
Daily effort - and be happy - long term…
The message is going to state the reality - short term or long term?
It is not IF it is WHEN!!!!
The cons help keep it real and not let me fool myself
****
- TOOL
D.I.S.A.R.M.
Destructive
Images
Self talk
Awareness
Refusal
Methods
The destructive image makes me go crazy, then I have the negative self talk that ruins me and if I conquer this then I have the awareness and I refuse to relapse.
***
There are three tools with in this - three tools of disarm
I have these three
1- Acknowledge it ! I am triggered / how do you destroy a secret? Tell someone -Name it Face it Erase it
2- Stop Thought / Yell scream -Stop Sign - Hit do something / Stop Sign / something different
3- Distraction - something to change the thought process
****
If you need to do this every time it
Am I growing or dying?
I gain an inch or relapse
A process to go through / do it as many times as possible/
****
The other tools are for staying clean
These tools are for recovery
- 3 more tools
U.S.A. = Unconditional Self Acceptance / I accept myself Now Today Now
U.O.A. = Unconditional Other Acceptance / I accept others and their beliefs
U.L.A. = Unconditional Life Acceptance / Life Happens - Shit Happens /I can do it all curve ball - That’s Life...
I need to deal with resentment !
- I NEED ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance is the medicine for resentment….!
If I resent I have poison - When I accept it dissolves...
Our minds are so powerful -
That’s Life.. Song
(Life is what happens to you while you're making other plans…)
Dealing with the curve ball and not relapsing is the power (This is resilience)
Negative stuff is going to happen / not if only when
Deal with it - Acceptance…
****
- The last tool is the A B C of problem solving
A = Activating event
B = Beliefs / I feel a certain way / Will this get me to my goals /is there evidence / Flexible
C = Consequence
D = Dispute - Challenge the belief system. Is it rational or irrational / Is it desirable ?
E = Emotions
Getting towards your goal is not always easy, you may not be happy but the end result is good…
***
Example - Cut off on the highway
A = Activating event - Cut off on the road
B = Beliefs - Fear could have killed me/meant to do that/idiot
C = Consequence - Pissed off / road rage
D = Dispute - (What if he had a baby in back) Maybe Reason / or not worth it
E = Emotions - Calm / Anger
Road Rage to guilt to calm
Do an ABC
I've been here before and I am not going back
****
The following is from our textbook...
From- Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., Blevins, G. A. (2015). Substance abuse counseling (5th Edition). Pacific Grove, CA:
For instance, Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is not “professional treatment,” rather, it offers freely available peer-support groups based
SMART’S stated purpose is to support individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching them how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions, and how to work toward long-term satisfactions and quality of life.
They state in their materials:
1. We help individuals gain independence from addictive behavior. 2. We teach how to
a. b. c. d.
enhance and maintain motivation to abstain cope with urges manage thoughts, feelings and behavior balance momentary and enduring satisfaction
3. Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge, and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves.
4. Individuals who have gained independence from addictive behavior are invited to stay involved with us, to enhance their gains and help others.
Source: From SMART Recovery, Mentor, OH. Used with permission.
According to SMART:
• SMART Recovery has a scientific foundation, not a spiritual one. • SMART Recovery teaches increasing self-reliance, rather than powerlessness.
SMART Recovery views addictive behavior as a maladaptive, bad habit, rather than as a disease.
• SMART Recovery meetings are discussion meetings in which individuals talk with, encourage, and share ideas with one another.
• SMART Recovery encourages attendance for months to years, but probably not a lifetime.
• There are no sponsors in SMART Recovery. • SMART Recovery discourages use of labels such as “alcoholic” or “addict.”
Source: From SMART Recovery, Mentor, OH. Used with permission.
Outlined below are the common beliefs behind SMART and Rational Recovery (another rational-emotive approach that is an alternative to traditional AA or NA groups):
• People are largely responsible for their drug and alcohol use behaviors.
• People do “get over,” that is, completely recover from their addictions.
• Lifetime membership is not a requirement. It is thought that some people
recover quickly, others in 1 or 2 years.
• Labeling one as an addict or alcoholic is discouraged to avoid the negative
outcomes associated with labeling.
• Alcohol dependence or other drug dependencies are not “diseases” in the
common sense. They are, instead, life consuming, massive behavioral problems with broad ramifications and people with these problems need to learn to cope with them and take direct responsibility for their life course.
• People with alcohol and other drug use problems are good people. Removing the alcohol or drug problem makes people happier and healthier, but it does not in and of itself make them “better people.”
• Counselors should work to help their clients get to a process of change that is internally motivated, safe, and productive. Motivational techniques are effective to help ease the transition from problem use to nonuse.
• Self-recovery, spontaneous remission, and user-directed change happens all the time. A person’s own resources and decision-making capacity coupled with other variables such as familial support is often the key to a life free of substances. Counselors can be part of this process but it requires a belief that clients can do it on their own. In cases like this the counselor might be seen as a consultant and only seen once or twice. This speaks to the need to view every interaction we have with a person suffering from substance use problems as a discreet opportunity to instill hope, provide encouragement, and bolster self-confidence and self-efficacy.
if you wish to know more on SMART the webpage is full of free resources!!! So AWESOME !!!
https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/
In closing, The SMART program and ethos is a life changer for me and I see it as a cognitive way to empower a person to take full responsibility to change their Modus Operandi.
Thank you
Richard Thompson