Using SMART Recovery Meetings to Remain Proactive In Recovery
Attending meetings has traditionally been an integral part of the post-treatment process for anyone that’s attended rehab. Clients are encouraged to find local sources and attend these events indefinitely, as it’s important to remain proactive in your recovery in Orange County.
There are the old faithful meeting events – the AA, NA, Cocaine Anonymous, and all the other 12-Step meetings in Orange County. However, SMART Meetings are preferred for many of those that want a change of pace from the faith-based group recovery meetings.
If you’ve attended 12-Step events and it doesn’t seem to resonate with you, trying your hand at SMART Recovery, Orange County meetings while getting treatment at South Shores might give you a new outlook on the group meeting dynamic.
In this article, you’ll learn all about SMART Recovery Orange County, including details on SMART Recovery meetings in the OC, the principles of self-reliance, a history of SMART, and some important facts regarding addiction and motivation you don’t want to miss!
What Is SMART Recovery In Orange County?
Self Management and Recovery Training, or SMART Recovery, is an organization that helps people avoid the pitfalls and triggers of post-recovery, helping participants walk a self-led path to long-term success. It’s a great starting point for those who finish a rehab program and ask, “what comes next?”
SMART Recovery sessions in Orange County provide participants with evidence-based strategies for improving their quality of life. In fact, a lot of the information transmitted via the SMART Recovery program was adopted through the study of cognitive behavioral therapy.
In addition to having programs in a wide variety of locations, including treatment institutions, prisons, and online meetings, this organization also operates in multiple local meetings all across the country.
Some of the challenges a SMART Meeting in Orange County helps to address include:
- Alcoholism
- Drug abuse (heroin, cocaine, marijuana, antidepressants, and oxycodone)
- Problems with behavior or “process addictions” (food addiction, Internet addiction, and gambling addiction)
Not Your Average Orange County Support Meeting
While 12-step programs like AA and Al-Anon have been around for a while, SMART Recovery has been more popular in the last decade as an alternative approach to recovery. Over 1,500 SMART meetings were held in the United States in 2015. Those numbers are sure to be much higher at this point as numbers grow in foreign countries as well.
An exciting variety of post-treatment tools exist to help with motivation and even to help promote better interactions with your family and community.
How Does SMART Recovery Work?
Self-governance is emphasized heavily in SMART Recovery meetings. The significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, avoiding relapse following treatment, and coping with post-rehab depression are just some of the topics covered in meetings and other forms of peer support.
The History of SMART
The purpose of SMART Recovery is to provide clients with the tools they need to self-manage their abstinence from drug misuse and move on to a healthier, more fulfilling life when treatment has ended. It takes a motivating and non-confrontational approach, using techniques like CBT. It’s probably the most common substitute for the 12-Steps model of sobriety.
The SMART Recovery approach, in contrast to that of AA, views addiction not so much as a disease but more as a result of negative behavior triggered by environmental factors. In addition, it does not suggest that addicts turn to a higher power for help or that they are helpless in the face of their addiction.
How SMART Began
Jack Trimpey helped run an organization named Rational Recovery. He decided he wanted to turn the program into a business venture, profiting from those he offered help.
In opposition to this decision, several board members split off to establish a new recovery support group called SMART Recovery. The group began in 1992 under the name Alcohol and Drug Abuse Self-Help Network (ADASHN), but in 1994 changed its name to SMART Recovery.
With roots in CBT and RET, SMART aims to help people change the way they think and feel about themselves and their problems.
The SMART Recovery system is simple and effective. To use or not to use, to drink or not to drink: that is a decision I consider to be within my control. When I abstain from alcohol, I feel strong and in control. Everything begins with a conscious decision to say yes or no.
SMART Recovery Addresses the Following:
- Taking charge of your recovery is imperative for success.
- Change your negative unhealthy views into positive, constructive ways of thinking.
- Healing starts with developing attainable goals.
- Urges will happen. They will also pass naturally.
- When you experience these urges, it’s important to remain grounded and calm.
- Ride out the healing process.
Adopting SMART Recovery Principles In Daily Life
There is no stigma attached to relapses in SMART Recovery groups. This program sees relapse as a chance to discuss what went wrong and how to get back on track with recovery – using it as a positive learning experience to get better and not bitter. Those who view relapse as a temporary setback rather than a final defeat have a better chance of returning to sobriety.
The SMART Recovery ABCs
There is always an initial event that sets off a chain of events. Step one is to identify the trigger that caused you to go for alcohol or drugs. The ABCs of SMART Recovery help you to use this line of thinking.
A. Activating Experience
How do you interpret this recent occurrence in light of what you know about it? Take into account your own feelings and thoughts. There is a wide spectrum of beliefs, including those that are reasonable, grounded in reality, logical, self-supporting, and productive, and those that are irrational, wishful, illogical, and counterproductive. How will you choose to react?
B. Beliefs
There is a wide spectrum of beliefs, including those that are reasonable, grounded in reality, logical, self-supporting, and productive, and those that are irrational, wishful, illogical, and counterproductive. How will you choose to react?
C. Consequences
There is always a fallout from one’s actions and thoughts. A causes B, where A is the activating event and B is the effect (your beliefs).
Turn your doubts into questions and your replies into answers. This will allow you to thoroughly examine the event and your reactions to it.
D. Disputes
Turn your doubts into questions and your replies into answers. This will allow you to thoroughly examine the event and your reactions to it.
E. Effects
Changing from an unreasonable mindset to a more logical and sensible one has a domino effect. New habits will build, and cravings will lessen as you put in the work.
The 4 Steps to SMART Recovery
The principles of SMART Recovery are organized into a 4-Point Program that serves as the foundation for the material presented to participants. All of the program’s components work together to assist members to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle once treatment is over.
1. Build and Maintain Motivation
Finding techniques to keep oneself motivated after completing inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment is crucial.
2. Deal With Your Urges
SMART Recovery programs instruct participants on how to identify cravings and resist them. People respond in a variety of unique ways to stressful situations.
3. Manage Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
The rehabilitation process can be greatly aided by replacing destructive thinking with more constructive and encouraging ones.
4. Live a Balanced Life
Embracing a well-rounded and healthy lifestyle is your greatest bet at maintaining your sobriety over the long haul.
Experience SMART Recovery at South Shores Detox and Recovery
SMART Recovery meetings are just one of the many different options we provide our clients at South Shores Detox and Recovery. Combined with evidence-based therapy and group recovery meetings, our clients are experiencing verifiable success in setting up the foundation for their recovery.
Come share in our success: speak with a member of our welcoming Admissions team today for a confidential consultation and begin to get new options for your recovery now!