Alternatives for Addiction Treatment: If AA Isn’t for You, Try SMART

Have you ever had or heard the following complaints about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings?

1. All people do is complain about their problems.
2. I don’t like the religious stuff.
3. No one says anything back to you after you talk.
4. I don’t want to say I am powerless.
5. Sometimes people dominate the meetings.

Don’t think I am bashing AA. The program has helped save the lives of countless people throughout the world. Those who attend regular meetings, work the steps, meet with their sponsors, and utilize the fellowship have some of the strongest recovery programs I know. But I realize AA does not work for everyone.

For those AA doesn’t suit, SMART Recovery can be a good fit. SMART Recovery is a self-empowering addiction-recovery support group. SMART stands for “self-management and recovery training.” It has been around for over 20 years and is a recognized resource for recovery by national institutes. Participants learn to use tools based on the latest scientific research and attend mutual support groups that typically run once a week for 90 minutes.

SMART meetings differ from AA in that they teach self-empowerment and self-reliance, whereas AA’s first step is admitting “we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” Many people struggle with this concept and react with a depressed, hopeless response. SMART views dependence not as a disease but as a dysfunctional habit. Some prefer SMART meetings because they focus on education and support, encouraging open discussions.

SMART offers a four-point program with tools and techniques for each area. These include building and maintaining motivation; coping with urges; managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and living a balanced life. To support these goals, principles of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy are sometimes used.

SMART exercises can help you understand the role alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy behaviors were playing in your life. They also provide concrete ways to make lifestyle changes.

While both AA and SMART are free and peer-led, SMART facilitators go through a training process that may last months. Facilitators also participate in a 30-hour education course to learn how to effectively run meetings. They are taught how to educate members on the four-point program, initiate discussions, and when to reach out for professional support.

SMART exercises can help you understand the role alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy behaviors were playing in your life. They also provide concrete ways to make lifestyle changes.

SMART is typically for those wanting to achieve abstinence. However, people who want to try alcohol moderation are still invited to participate.

People who have attended both SMART and AA meetings have said they prefer the empowered approach, education, and support from peers who are struggling with similar issues. They like that it is structured and that they can have discussions in the meeting, but they also like knowing there is someone trained to guide the process.

If you have tried multiple AA meetings and did not feel that particular program was for you, consider giving SMART a try. Some people I have worked with attend both, reporting they get a different type of support from each format.

References:

1. Hardin, R. (2013). SMART recovery handbook, 3rd edition. SMART Recovery Central Office, Ohio.
2. Turner, C. (2017). Can I keep drinking? How you can decide when enough is enough. New York, NY: Morgan James Publishing.
3. Zemore, S. E., Kaskutas, L., Mericle, A., & Hember, J. (2017). Comparison of 12-step groups to mutual help alternatives for AUD in a large, national study: Differences in membership characteristics and group participation, cohesion, and satisfaction. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 73, 16-26.

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