Addiction ~ Part 2: Treatment - SMART Recovery
Good morning Planet Fames!
I hope you all had another great week and weekend! Where does the time go?!? Can you believe it's already September 17th?! It's crazy! Make sure you are taking time for yourself, and the things that are really important in life! If you don't, you'll wake up one morning and wonder where the time went!
First, I'd like to address last weeks blog. We dove into the topic of treatment, specifically Alcoholics Anonymous. I may have been a little "harsh", in some peoples opinions, and that was intentional! Again, I am a fan of AA! While I admitted it isn't the "program for me", I think for some people it is a life saver. I love the social aspect, the simplicity, and the accessibility. While I believe that AA has flaws, as does everything, I am not against it. I believe if a program helps just one person, that program is worth exploring!
The reason I may have come across as "hard" on AA, is because I believe we need to challenge the dogmatic thinking and belief surrounding AA and addiction. If we continue to set AA as the "gold standard", and we don't explore and research new methods and approaches, we will continue to lose the war. No one can argue that AA has a stellar track record. So I was harsh, with the intent of opening your minds to other ideas. If I offended, I apologize. If I possibly "turned you off" of AA, please reconsider.
Now, on with the blog!
Our next treatment approach/program, is SMART Recovery, or Self-Management And Recovery Training.
If this were a classroom setting and not a blog, and I asked for a show of hands if you knew or had heard of SMART Recovery, how many of you would have raised your hands? If I had followed up with, "can anyone tell me about SMART Recovery?", how many of you would have been able to answer me?
If you are a person working in the field of addictions, or a person that has struggled with addiction, or you have a family member or loved one that has struggled with addiction, you might had raised your hand to one or both of those questions. While SMART Recovery is gaining in popularity and recognition, it is still relatively unknown outside those circles. Would it then surprise you, to learn that SMART Recovery is probably the second most prolific treatment approach/program available? (This is again why I was "harsh" on AA.)
So, let's start with the basics! What is SMART Recovery.
Self-Management And Recovery Training, or SMART, Recovery was officially formed in 1994. Prior to that, SMART Recovery was a part of Rational Recovery, which can be traced back to 1986, which we will talk about later.
Created as a "counterpoint" approach to AA, SMART Recovery is a "secular and scientifically based approach". The program places importance on the human agency in overcoming addiction and focuses on self-reliance and self-empowerment, rather than a spiritual one like AA. SMART Recovery advocates that through the use of open discussion, questioning decisions, and forming corrective measures through assertive exercises, addiction can be overcome.
Unlike AA, SMART Recovery does not subscribe to the disease model and the concept of powerlessness. Instead, it views addiction as a "dysfunctional habit", though is does allow that some people are more predisposed to addiction than others. It does not involve a lifetime membership concept, rather people are welcome to attend when they feel it is needed. Rather than 12-steps, like AA, SMART Recovery outlines 4 main objectives:
These objectives are achieved through the use of therapeutic techniques from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
SMART Recovery embraces the "Stages of Change" concept. Recognizing that each person struggling with addiction is at a different stage:
So now that you know a little bit more about what SMART Recovery is, let's talk more about my thoughts on SMART Recovery, and the pros and cons of the program.
While SMART Recovery offers a "counterpoint" option for individuals struggling with addiction. One where admitting powerlessness, and embracing a higher power concept, is not required. Something that I am sure is appealing for many people that struggle with the AA model, there are issues.
SMART Recovery rejects the disease model of addiction. While the program does acknowledge that some individuals are more likely to develop the "dysfunctional habit" of addiction, it is a habit. Something that through behavior modification, and rational interventions alone, can resolve. This goes against the widely accepted understanding of the disease model.
The success rate of SMART Recovery is also unreliable, much like AA. Because SMART Recovery is much newer than AA, there is even less data available. In a 2018 longitudinal study that compared success rates from SMART Recovery to Alcoholics Anonymous, the study actually found that SMART Recovery fared worse across the outcomes of alcohol abstinence. It did point out, that SMART Recovery allows for continued use as a successful outcome. When you remove those individuals, and compare only those individuals seeking abstinence, SMART Recovery has the same success rate as AA. That sounds good, until you remember that AA's success rate is between 5-36%.
Another drawback to SMART Recovery, in my opinion, is the limited availability of the program and thus the support network. While SMART Recovery is international, there are only about 2100 meeting available according to their website. In Southern California, according to the SMART Recovery website, there are only 23 meeting available. Not what I would call a "robust" support network.
While I agree with some of the concepts and ideas behind SMART Recovery, and I think it is a viable alternative for those individuals that AA "doesn't work", It's clear to me that we still haven't found the answer here.
Well, that's all for this week Famers! I hope you enjoyed, and even learned something!
Until next time! Peace, Love, and Unicorns baby!!
Fames
I hope you all had another great week and weekend! Where does the time go?!? Can you believe it's already September 17th?! It's crazy! Make sure you are taking time for yourself, and the things that are really important in life! If you don't, you'll wake up one morning and wonder where the time went!
First, I'd like to address last weeks blog. We dove into the topic of treatment, specifically Alcoholics Anonymous. I may have been a little "harsh", in some peoples opinions, and that was intentional! Again, I am a fan of AA! While I admitted it isn't the "program for me", I think for some people it is a life saver. I love the social aspect, the simplicity, and the accessibility. While I believe that AA has flaws, as does everything, I am not against it. I believe if a program helps just one person, that program is worth exploring!
The reason I may have come across as "hard" on AA, is because I believe we need to challenge the dogmatic thinking and belief surrounding AA and addiction. If we continue to set AA as the "gold standard", and we don't explore and research new methods and approaches, we will continue to lose the war. No one can argue that AA has a stellar track record. So I was harsh, with the intent of opening your minds to other ideas. If I offended, I apologize. If I possibly "turned you off" of AA, please reconsider.
Now, on with the blog!
Our next treatment approach/program, is SMART Recovery, or Self-Management And Recovery Training.
If this were a classroom setting and not a blog, and I asked for a show of hands if you knew or had heard of SMART Recovery, how many of you would have raised your hands? If I had followed up with, "can anyone tell me about SMART Recovery?", how many of you would have been able to answer me?
If you are a person working in the field of addictions, or a person that has struggled with addiction, or you have a family member or loved one that has struggled with addiction, you might had raised your hand to one or both of those questions. While SMART Recovery is gaining in popularity and recognition, it is still relatively unknown outside those circles. Would it then surprise you, to learn that SMART Recovery is probably the second most prolific treatment approach/program available? (This is again why I was "harsh" on AA.)
So, let's start with the basics! What is SMART Recovery.
Self-Management And Recovery Training, or SMART, Recovery was officially formed in 1994. Prior to that, SMART Recovery was a part of Rational Recovery, which can be traced back to 1986, which we will talk about later.
Created as a "counterpoint" approach to AA, SMART Recovery is a "secular and scientifically based approach". The program places importance on the human agency in overcoming addiction and focuses on self-reliance and self-empowerment, rather than a spiritual one like AA. SMART Recovery advocates that through the use of open discussion, questioning decisions, and forming corrective measures through assertive exercises, addiction can be overcome.
Unlike AA, SMART Recovery does not subscribe to the disease model and the concept of powerlessness. Instead, it views addiction as a "dysfunctional habit", though is does allow that some people are more predisposed to addiction than others. It does not involve a lifetime membership concept, rather people are welcome to attend when they feel it is needed. Rather than 12-steps, like AA, SMART Recovery outlines 4 main objectives:
- Building and Maintaining Motivation,
- Coping with Urges,
- Managing Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors,
- Living a balanced Life
These objectives are achieved through the use of therapeutic techniques from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).
SMART Recovery embraces the "Stages of Change" concept. Recognizing that each person struggling with addiction is at a different stage:
- Precontemplation – At this stage, the participant may not realize that they have a problem.
- Contemplation – The participant evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of the addiction by performing a cost/benefit analysis.
- Determination/Preparation – The participant decides to pursue personal change, and may complete a Change Plan Worksheet.
- Action – The participant seeks out new ways of handling their addiction behavior. This can include self-help, the support of addiction help group or professional guidance.
- Maintenance – After a few months, the participant's behavior has been changed and now seeks to maintain their gains.
- Graduation/Exit – Once a participant has sustained a long period of change, they may choose to move on with their lives and "graduate" from SMART Recovery.
So now that you know a little bit more about what SMART Recovery is, let's talk more about my thoughts on SMART Recovery, and the pros and cons of the program.
While SMART Recovery offers a "counterpoint" option for individuals struggling with addiction. One where admitting powerlessness, and embracing a higher power concept, is not required. Something that I am sure is appealing for many people that struggle with the AA model, there are issues.
SMART Recovery rejects the disease model of addiction. While the program does acknowledge that some individuals are more likely to develop the "dysfunctional habit" of addiction, it is a habit. Something that through behavior modification, and rational interventions alone, can resolve. This goes against the widely accepted understanding of the disease model.
The success rate of SMART Recovery is also unreliable, much like AA. Because SMART Recovery is much newer than AA, there is even less data available. In a 2018 longitudinal study that compared success rates from SMART Recovery to Alcoholics Anonymous, the study actually found that SMART Recovery fared worse across the outcomes of alcohol abstinence. It did point out, that SMART Recovery allows for continued use as a successful outcome. When you remove those individuals, and compare only those individuals seeking abstinence, SMART Recovery has the same success rate as AA. That sounds good, until you remember that AA's success rate is between 5-36%.
Another drawback to SMART Recovery, in my opinion, is the limited availability of the program and thus the support network. While SMART Recovery is international, there are only about 2100 meeting available according to their website. In Southern California, according to the SMART Recovery website, there are only 23 meeting available. Not what I would call a "robust" support network.
While I agree with some of the concepts and ideas behind SMART Recovery, and I think it is a viable alternative for those individuals that AA "doesn't work", It's clear to me that we still haven't found the answer here.
Well, that's all for this week Famers! I hope you enjoyed, and even learned something!
Until next time! Peace, Love, and Unicorns baby!!
Fames
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