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Recovery support

SMART Recovery.

Self-Management and Recovery Training is a secular, science-based recovery-support meeting — an alternative for patients who want a different model alongside clinical care and 12-step meetings.

The 4-point program

Practical tools, practiced together.

SMART Recovery's 4-Point Program is the foundation of every meeting — skills that are meant to be used daily, not just discussed.

Build and maintain motivation

Participants identify their own personal reasons for change and revisit them as motivation shifts over time.

Cope with urges and cravings

Tools like urge surfing, thought-stopping, and healthy distraction techniques give people control in high-risk moments.

Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

CBT-based skills help participants notice unhelpful thoughts, challenge them, and replace them with a more balanced perspective.

Live a balanced life

Long-term recovery is about more than avoiding substances — reconnecting with hobbies, relationships, and goals for work or personal growth.

Who it's for

A different path into long-term recovery.

  • Patients who want a secular alternative to 12-step recovery models
  • Patients who prefer a self-empowerment framework over a higher-power model
  • Anyone who wants flexible goals, including a harm-reduction step on the way to abstinence
  • Patients who want ongoing peer support during aftercare
FAQ

Common questions about SMART Recovery.

How is SMART Recovery different from AA or NA?

SMART Recovery is secular and self-empowerment focused, drawing on CBT-based tools, while 12-step programs are built around a higher-power framework and the 12 steps. Both share the goal of supporting recovery — patients are welcome to choose either, or both.

Do I have to attend SMART Recovery meetings as part of treatment?

No. SMART Recovery is one recovery-support option among several. Our team helps connect interested patients to meetings during and after treatment; participation is voluntary.

Is there a cost to attend SMART Recovery meetings?

SMART Recovery, as an organization, offers its meetings free of charge — no membership fees, though voluntary donations are welcome. This is a feature of SMART Recovery's own program, available in person and online.

Can SMART Recovery be combined with therapy?

Yes. SMART Recovery is designed to work alongside individual and group therapy, medical care, and relapse-prevention planning — not in place of them.

Take the next step

Ready when you are.

Admissions answers 24/7. We work with commercial insurance and verify your specific coverage on the call.