Hi! I read the description, and it sounds like something that I would like. Worksheets and lists? Yes! I love that kind of stuff.
Who had tried it and liked it?
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I only went to like 2 meetings, wasn’t necessarily my bag, but I actually think it’s pretty cool. Workbooks are definitely a plus lol.
I 100% recommend checking it out.
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I like the concept but their online forums and app are hard to use.
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Yes, I am seeing that.
Never used them i was 20 years sober when they got started ,
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I thought the same thing actually, it looks really old school programming wise and was a bit discouraging
I actually LOVE SMART RECOVERY! I am a veteran and so the types of worksheets and everything that came along with it were all very helpful to me. The extra little incentive to start and actually getting stuff down on paper was very helpful to me (since I’m a bit of a procrastinator too!) I led a group at a vets home for about 6 months and was on my way to get certified and everything… And then “life” happened. Won’t bore ya with all that, but I highly recommend it!
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Yeah. They have workbooks to go through and meetings as well. @Robketts was also a big SMART guy, I think. He might have some posts around.
I looked at it when seeking a program, and honestly went AA at that point only cuz I found more convenient meetings. Then was off to the races.
Looking at the material though, it seemed pretty cool. From what I saw in the workbook, kinda like AA, but more of a clear cognitive behavioral therapy approach, no higher power talk.
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100% the CBT/DBT part of it! Spot on!
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I have gone to several meetings. The group I went to never did get around to doing the work at the meeting.
If you can get the book, I think it’s good stuff. There may be a download or you can purchase it from the site.
I have not attended the online meetings. I like the concept but without getting to the work, it isn’t effective. Maybe we can do a SMART thread? A book club kinda thing? Work through the recovery workbook together? Or get a group together for our own TS SMART Zoom or conference call.
I am open to all that.
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Yesssss. Let’s do that. Who wants to do it with us?
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Hi @Daphnecat I did smart as well and I found it extremely helpful! I have not been now for just over a year as I have gained so much useful experience and tools to keep me sober; currently 4 years sober now.
I has the benefit of a local face to face regular meeting which was really well facilitated. That is a core component to a good meeting. A facilitator runs the meeting using the smart framework and uses the group to get a working recovery agenda. It’s at this stage a good facilitator would weave in smart tools; making them relevant to the group.
I started off as a service user and then progressed to the facilitator role and loved it! But as my recovery progressed i thought it was time to hand over to another group member to take over.
With smart its about being responsible for your own choices and recovery. It also has the ability for someone to move onwards and past group sessions…which I like as well…but I have the tools now and they will always be with me and if I needed to I could always reconnect…but still doing great and couldn’t be happier 
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@Daphnecat If you want to give it a go, we could do a workbook accountability of two. They have a lot of resources on YouTube. We could watch the videos and work through the book. I was going through facilitator training. I think I might go back through.
Also, consider The Luckiest Club. There’s a a subscription fee but it’s been so worth it to me. I am going through the 8-week course, starting Monday.
I’d definitely like to get back into SMART work. So, let me know if you’d like to do a weekly call/zoom or keep it on a thread or in our inbox.
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Yes I would like that.
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Did an online meeting once, it’s a good concept
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OK! Let’s get on it!
If anyone is interested in doing this with us, shoot me a message or let me know here in this thread.
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I know this thread is pretty old but if anybody is still interested in starting a thread Where we do some of the work I would be interested. Or we talked about our experiences from meetings / Discussions and Workbooks or anything related that could be the main thread But like I said maybe a thread has been created since this original post? I just ordered the workbook and talked to one of their employees/ Volunteers yesterday about questions about the program And finding in person locations. There’s only a couple in person locations where I live but I’m going to go. I’m going to look through the search bar and see what other Smart Recovery questions have been answered or threads are on here. I don’t know much about this program other than what I have learned in the last couple days. I also emailed the program facilitator at the location near me and making sure there’s not a closer one to where I live. Seems pretty cool and actually refreshing. Also glad to find out there is some info on here about it
@EarnIt
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I am not currently attending SMART meetings. However, the program works for me. The online meeting search is generally correct for locations and online meetings available. Where I am currently staying there aren’t many meetings. Like other recovery programs, beyond AA, less in-person meetings are available.
I am happy to answer anything, or continue to share with you as you move forward.
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I would be interested!
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Thanks for reaching back @Madds @EarnIt
I’m going to go to an in person meeting tomorrow and get a feel for the program and try to start learning about it. I have a work Book been delivered in the mail and also will get a feel for that book and then I will see about creating a thread and maybe we can get some people that want to do some of the work together. Thanks again for reaching back. Definitely excited to see about this program.
I have nothing bad to say about other programs. At the end of the day my goals are Simple and that is to make it through the next 24 hours without drinking or doing drugs and then when tomorrow comes I will repeat. Along the way I want to continue to learn ways to cope with my feelings and emotions and continue to grow and live life like a adult. I want to be surrounded by positive people that are also committed to growth.
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