About SMART Treatment Local Meetings
We understand that in-person meetings might raise concerns due to the Coronavirus. We are actively reaching out to our facilitators to help them transition some of their in-person meetings to online formats. The decision to transition is currently at the discretion of the individual meeting organizers. We recommend checking this site’s meeting schedule for the latest updates before planning to attend a meeting, and encourage you to communicate with your local facilitator for any questions or concerns. Learn more about our response to COVID-19.
The general public is invited to attend local SMART Treatment meetings, except for those marked as Private or Specialized. Attendance is free of charge, though donations are welcomed and typically collected in a hat. There’s no need to contact the facilitator or register beforehand; you can just show up unless otherwise noted to call first. For any inquiries or further information, feel free to reach out to the facilitator using the contact details provided.
We regularly update this list, adding new meetings as they become available. If you don’t see a meeting in your area, continue to check back, as new ones are frequently added.
Should you arrive at a meeting location and find it empty, please contact the facilitator to confirm the meeting’s status. Occasionally, volunteer facilitators may be unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. If you’re unable to get in touch with the facilitator, or if you’ve made multiple unsuccessful attempts to attend a meeting, please fill out the Problematic Behavior Reporting form.
If there’s no meeting listed in your area, it means there isn’t one scheduled at the moment.
NOTE TO TREATMENT CENTERS: We are grateful for your increasing interest in referring patients to SMART meetings in their local areas. If you plan to send four or more participants, we advise notifying the facilitators in advance to accommodate logistics if needed.
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More About SMART Treatment
RESULTS BASED COUNSELING
SMART Treatment is a non-profit organization located in the United States dedicated to assisting individuals in overcoming their addictions. The name SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, encapsulating the core of its methodology. This approach incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and utilizes non-confrontational motivational strategies. It is a secular program grounded in scientific research.
Unlike traditional twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART Treatment provides an alternative framework for addiction recovery. It distinguishes itself from AA by treating addiction as a maladaptive habit rather than a disease, acknowledging, however, that certain individuals may have a predisposition toward addictive behaviors. SMART Treatment does not prioritize spiritual development as a key element of behavioral change, thus it does not require participants to concede to being powerless over their addictions or to subscribe to the notion of a “Higher Power.”
(866) 521-4950Methodology
SMART Treatment is grounded in contemporary scientific knowledge and evolves in line with advancements in science. This approach integrates concepts from motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and employs techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly those associated with rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), alongside evidence-based treatment studies. SMART Treatment meetings and the program itself are supportive of participants who choose to use prescribed medications, including opioid-agonist drugs, as part of their recovery efforts.
The focus of the organization’s program is on four key areas in the recovery process: Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance. The “SMART Toolbox” encompasses a variety of MET, CBT, and REBT strategies, or “tools,” tailored to address these four points.
SMART Treatment serves as a primary recovery support program for anyone seeking assistance with addictions, without being exclusive. It is recognized as an “Alternative to AA” or a “Non-Twelve Step Program,” distinguishing itself from the twelve-step methodology that underpins many “Anonymous” self-help groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA)). SMART Treatment advocates for each individual finding their own path to recovery. Its principal guide, The SMART Treatment Handbook, positions the program as an alternative while also suggesting it as a complementary option to twelve-step programs.
Transitional Stages
Participants in SMART Treatment may find themselves at various stages of change, with different activities being beneficial at different times:
- Precontemplation – At this stage, the individual may not recognize they have a problem.
- Contemplation – The individual conducts a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the pros and cons of their addictive behavior.
- Determination/Preparation – The person commits to making a change and might complete a Change Plan Worksheet.
- Action – The individual seeks new ways to manage their addiction, including self-help, support from an addiction help group, or professional counseling.
- Maintenance – After several months of changed behavior, the person aims to sustain their improvements.
- Graduation/Exit – Following an extended period of change, a participant may choose to “graduate” from SMART Treatment and move forward with their life.
- Relapse – Although not inevitable, relapses are considered part of the change process. When managed effectively, they can offer valuable lessons in overcoming addiction.
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SMART Recovery Meetings in Your Area
Note: Many of our local meetings have been temporarily moved online due to COVID-19. You may find online Zoom meeting details in place of local meeting information in your search results. Read more about our response to COVID-19.
About SMART Recovery® Local Meetings
We appreciate that face-to-face meetings may be a source of concern due to the Coronavirus. We’re in the process of reaching out to our face-to-face facilitators to offer and support the transition of some meetings from in-person to online. At this point, the decision to do so is solely up to the meeting organizers. We advise you to verify this site’s meeting schedule before making preparations to attend a meeting, and to speak with your local facilitator about any questions or concerns you may have. Read more about our COVID-19 reaction.
The public is welcome to attend local SMART Recovery meetings (with the exception of those that state Private or Specialized). There is no charge to attend, however donations are collected in a hat. You do not need to make contact with the facilitator or register in advance; simply turn up (unless there is a note requesting attendees call first). If you have any concerns or require additional information, please contact the facilitator using the information provided.
This list is updated on a regular basis, and new meetings are added as they become available. If you don’t see a meeting in your area on the list, keep checking back because new meetings are added on a regular basis.
If you arrive at a meeting place and no one is there, please call the facilitator to see if the meeting is still on. Things come up from time to time that prohibit volunteer facilitators from attending. Please complete the Problematic Behavior Reporting form located here: http://www.smartrecovery.org/reporting problems.html if you are unable to contact the facilitator or if two or more attempts to attend the meeting are unsuccessful/no meeting is taking place.
If there isn’t a meeting listed for your location, there isn’t one currently scheduled.
* Consider hosting a local SMART Recovery meeting or joining one of our online meetings.
NOTE TO TREATMENT CENTERS: We appreciate your growing interest in sending patients to SMART meetings in their communities. If you’re sending four or more participants, we recommend notifying the facilitators ahead of time so they can manage logistics if necessary.
More About Smart Recovery
RESULTS BASED COUNSELING
SMART Recovery is a non-profit organization based in the United States that helps people overcome their addictions. Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is an acronym for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The SMART approach uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and non-confrontational motivating strategies and is secular and research-based.
SMART Recovery is a twelve-step program that offers an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs. SMART varies from AA in that it views addiction as a dysfunctional habit rather than a sickness, as AA does, while acknowledging that some people are predisposed to addictive behavior. SMART Recovery does not emphasize spiritual growth as a critical component of behavior change, and hence does not encourage people to admit their powerlessness over their addictions or to use the concept of a “Higher Power.”
SMART Recovery is based on scientific understanding and is designed to change as science advances. The approach incorporates motivational interviewing ideas from motivational enhancement therapy (MET), as well as strategies from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), notably the form known as rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and scientifically proven treatment studies. Participants who choose to take appropriately prescribed drugs, including opioid-agonist pharmaceuticals, as part of their recovery programs will find the SMART Recovery Program and meetings to be welcoming.
Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance are the four areas that the organization’s program focuses in the recovery process. The “SMART Toolbox” is a collection of several MET, CBT, and REBT approaches, or “tools,” that deal with the 4 Points.
SMART Recovery is a stand-alone primary recovery support program for anyone seeking help recovering from addictions, although it is not exclusive. The program is classified as a “Alternative to AA” or a “Alternative to the Twelve Steps” because it does not use the twelve steps that form the foundation of numerous “Anonymous” self-help groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and so on). Each person, according to SMART Recovery, discovers his or her own road to recovery. SMART Recovery’s main program publication, The SMART Recovery Handbook, lists it as a “alternative” but also suggests it as a possible “supplement” to twelve-step programs.
Transitional Stages
Participants in SMART Recovery may be at one or more of the several stages of change, and different activities may be beneficial at different stages.
Precontemplation – The person may not be aware that they have a problem at this point.
Contemplation – The person performs a cost-benefit analysis to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the addiction.
Determination/Preparation – The participant decides to make a change in their life and may fill out a Change Plan Worksheet.
Action – The person looks for new strategies to cope with their addiction. Self-help, support from an addiction help group, or professional counseling are all options.
Maintenance – The participant’s behavior has altered after a few months, and they now want to keep their gains.
Graduation/Exit — After a long period of transformation, a participant may opt to “graduate” from SMART Recovery and continue on with their lives
Spectator event: Relapse – While not unavoidable, relapses are a natural part of the transformation process and, when handled properly, can be a valuable learning experience in the fight against addiction.
