by Dr. Russell K. Elleven

Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is a relative newcomer in the neighborhood of support groups seeking to assist individuals on their journey in changing addictive behavior.

SMART Recovery has only about 15 years of service since its incorporation as a non-profit organization. While growing, there are only about 300 weekly SMART meetings.

This is rather small when compared to the weekly offerings of Alcoholics Anonymous.

People want and deserve choices in all aspects of their lives. One need only pay attention to the presidential primaries right now to see that people are relishing in their ability to choose amongst and between candidates.

There may be times when we are unable to exercise our ability to choose and that can lead to frustration. I had a big role in choosing where I went to college and graduate school.

I had a big role in choosing my career path and what jobs I decided to take. While I may be fortunate, I do believe that people deserve choices – even when it comes to their recovery.

What SMART Is

First and foremost, SMART Recovery is a self-help support group based upon abstinence.

At the same time, SMART recognizes there are additional pieces of the recovery puzzle which must be addressed.

There are four points the program covers.

The points are: Point 1 - Enhancing and Maintaining the Motivation to Abstain; Point 2 - Coping with Urges; Point 3 - Problem Solving (managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors); and, Point 4 - Lifestyle Balance (balancing momentary and enduring satisfactions).

The program is based upon sound cognitive behavioral ideas. Participants often find the tools of the program in the SMART Recovery Handbook very helpful. Some of these tools are:

- Stages of Change - Change Plan Worksheet - Cost/Benefit Analysis (Decision Making Worksheet) - ABCs of REBT for Urge Coping - ABCs of REBT for Emotional Upsets - DISARM (Destructive Irrational Self-talk Awareness & Refusal Method) - Brainstorming - Role-playing and Rehearsing - Unconditional Self Acceptance.

SMART recovery is a program which helps participants understand they are powerful agents in their own possibilities of change. Self-reliance for those seeking a new way of life beyond their addictive behavior is important to this program.

People are encouraged to be gentle but continually persistent in their pursuit of abstinence.

One of the biggest things SMART Recovery is an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is a choice. And whether it is our elected officials, our education, or our careers, most human beings most of the time are allowed choices.

What SMART is Not

While one of the biggest things SMART Recovery does is give people choices in their recovery, it is not a mechanism by which to bash 12-step programs.

SMART Recovery appreciates and acknowledges the fact that many have taken back their lives through the assistance of Alcoholics Anonymous and other programs in which 12-steps are essential.

The fact is that people can and do (whenever available) participate in both programs. It is possible for people in recovery to appreciate the structure and message of 12-step groups while, at the same time, benefiting from the tools offered by SMART.

For some people this can be a "both/and" rather than an "either/or" situation. It is their choice to make when the choice is available.

Does it Work?

All of this is well and good but unless SMART Recovery works there is little of value in the writing of this piece. At the same time, it is worth noting the difficulty in follow-up with clients or support group participants who opt-out of treatment, support groups, or other programs.

Oftentimes our research sample is then self-selected and there are issues inherently difficult and invalid in this approach.

Yet we have all had clients who refuse to attend AA because of what they perceive to be the meeting's religious orientation. Whether the client's perception is accurate or not their minds have been made up. There is an opportunity out there for clients like that and there is an opportunity for counselors wherein they can do best by their clients by becoming familiar with additional recovery programs.

Many of us were trained and educated with the idea that 12-step programs were the only way to recovery. We were told that is was the only proven way to get someone to stop drinking. And it does offer that path for many, many people.

But it is not the only way. There are others. It is possible and ethical to have "both/and" within our treatment centers. It is possible and ethical to have "both/and" in our church basements. It is possible and ethical to have "both/and" in the counselor's arsenal of helpful tools.

Different approaches work for different people. Perhaps it is time for our recovery neighborhood to be more inclusive and offer these different approaches to those who need them most.

For more information about SMART Recovery go to their website: www.smartrecovery.org

Dr. Russell K. Elleven is the minister of Westside Unitarian Universalist Church (www.westsideuu.org) in Fort Worth, Texas. He has earned degrees at Texas Christian University, the University of North Texas, the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University, and Meadville/Lombard Theological School. He is licensed by the state of Texas as a chemical dependency (LCDC) and professional counselor (LPC). He facilitates SMART meetings at his church each Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. His personal website, www.rke.cc, has additional information about the meetings.