SMART recovery

Ok, so I'll start this topic off....I have been going to NA for a while, but I am not getting a lot out of it. I have all the same issues that other sub users have (having to hide that I'm on sub, not feeling totally honest, not feeling desperate anouth to go to a meeting, etc....). But, I also see the incredible good that NA has to offer....the support, fellowship, safe space to talk, and information to live sober. I have heard other people on this forum mention SMART recovery as an alternative. I went to their web page, and I like the idea behind the organization. As a psych major and grad student, I was a big fan of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy in general, and rational-emotive therapy specifically (which is what SMART is based on). But, my question is, what is the meeting really like? There are in person meetings in my area, and they also have online meetings as well. Has anyone been to either, or to both? Do the online meetings "work" the same as the in-person meetings? Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Elizabeth
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Elizabeth

Subs Not Drugs!!!

"Don't hope for a life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy mind."
- Zen Master Kyong Ho

I guess no one has tried the SMART program? This is the first I have heard of it. Looks interesting. I do go to NA meetings in my area but they are very limited (small town) and for some reason very few females attend? Is that just here or is that common?

I notice they have an introductory meeting online on Mondays. I think the more motivation I can find the better, and I can wear my favorite sweat pants with the hole in the butt and no makeup. I'm going to check it out Monday (8:30 my time zone). Anyone else interested in going with me (lol) or know more about it?
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Promise me you will always remember...You are braver than you believe, you are stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think!

*Christopher Robin to Pooh

Hey!

I also posted this in the "misc." section, and got a couple replies there. One warning me about the SMART recovery email list (apparently, it is really hard to get off of once you are on it). And another from someone who did an online meeting. The thing is, I am not crazy about the idea of an online meeting. I have ADD, and I don't think I would be able to focus during an online meeting...I need actual human contact to keep me on track (although I do love the idea of being in sweats and no makeup....hmmm...maybe I should try this after all Wink

)

Luckily, there are 3 meeting during the week near me, so I think I am going to try to go. Hell, I may even wear my sweatpants anyway....

But, and this was weird, one of the meeting near me has a notation next to it that says something like, all SMART meeting participants must check in with the receptionist and wear the badge while in the meeting. What does this badge look like? Am I going to have a big scarlet "A" (for addict) on my chest all night....and who is this protecting? That was kinda weird, so I think I'll go to one of the other meetings.

Let me know if you do the online thing....I am interested in any information about this group.

Elizabeth
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Elizabeth

Subs Not Drugs!!!

"Don't hope for a life without problems. An easy life results in a judgmental and lazy mind."
- Zen Master Kyong Ho

Elizabeth,

When do you think you'll try out your first SMART meeting? I'm also very curious about them. I started my own suboxone group in my area and our first meeting is in 2 weeks. So be sure and let us know what it was like. Maybe I can learn what to do and what not to do.

I hope it's a positive experience for you.
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-As I have grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is a piece of cake.

-I'm only responsible for what I say, not for what you understand.

I've done a couple of smart meetings recently and I like them. Compared to my first couple of NA meetings where I was far from an instant fan (thinking they were a cult and all those cliches), SMART seems to have been far more inviting. And I've done a LOT of NA / 12 step meetings.

First of all, it doesn't seem like suboxone, or any kind of pharmacotherapy, is viewed of as not being clean. In fact, at the meeting I went to last night everyone there bar the facilitator was on some kind of medical treatment for their addiction (suboxone, naltrexone, campral etc). Such medications weren't referred to as "drug replacement" either which was good.

I found that I had to shed a lot of the doctrines NA had taught me to make room for SMART's methods. ie SMART doesn't seem to view addiction as a disease (I'm still not 100% sure about that). And you'll never hear the word "powerless" as a SMART meeting (a good thing imo. too many times I've used that word to enable my using).

I've only done 2 meetings so far, but from what I can gather the crowd is a bit different. More educated, more middle class. Not many people had jail or homelessness in their stories. I remember in my first NA meeting as a teenager feeling like I hadn't yet earned my stripes as an addict (hadn't done any burgs, no jail, no hepC etc). The SMART meetings seemed to focus less, if not at all, on rock bottoms and / or using stories but rather what I'd done in the last week to deal with my addiction.

Downside? Much smaller. One meeting only had one other woman, the facilitator and myself. The other had about 6 people. In NA, after I found myself homeless in recovery, members offered me a place to stay and some money for food etc. I doubt you'd find that kind of spiritual generosity / paying it forward in SMART at this point. But it's early days.

I just don't like the name SMART. It feels a bit pretentious. Anyway, keep your eye on these guys. I'll definitely be going back.

Thx for the insight, TJ. I like what I hear, so I'll definitely check out this group.

I am very interested in finding a group meeting in my area, but I will not do the 12-steps. I have nothing against them as a program, cuz they do amazing things for those people who benefit from that particularly type of setting. I am the opposite of that person, the polar opposite.

Ene579 - Dunno if you live in NYC, but if you do, I'd be happy to check out a SMART meeting with you. Invitation is good for anyone in NYC. I know how tough it can be to go into groups alone, so "strength in numbers".

MF

It's official. I love SMART now. I feel close to fully de-brainwashed from the years I spent in NA.

A friend of mine from one of the northern states is coming to my city for work this week. He's a huge NA fiend (uses his keytags as rosary beads, prays every morning). He wants me to take him to some NA meetings.

I'll just sit in the corner with my hands over my ears saying "powerless my ass".

I find SMART works best for me. I gave the 12 steps a good try, 90 in 90, a sponsor, started the steps. But I just began to feel more and more uncomfortable as I went on. I was told to get on my knees, pray, think about going to church. When I said "I am not a very religious person and I don't think this has anything to do with my addiction" I was basically told to keep trying the same stuff. When I first started to attend I was so desperate and seeking for anything that sounded remotely positive. As I became more confident in my sobriety, I started to question if they were for me. I was already aware of SMART and just found that it works better for me. I never really felt like addiction was a disease, that is my personal belief. SMART seems to just address my needs better.

I still go to an occasional meeting here or there, but I no longer share and leave after the meeting.

I would suggest trying some online meetings and getting the yellow book. That is a good way to start. The great thing about SMART is you can adjust your "dependence" (bad word) on your need. They do not stress a life long commitment to meetings, you can attend or not attend. You can just use the tools on your own.

I should also mention, I attend after-care every other week, so it is sort of like group therapy. One of the biggest issues than 12 steppers and others have about SMART is the lack of "face-to-face" contact. I personally feel okay without it. "The Fellowship" is stressed in AA/NA and you are often told to break away from old friends. I still see my friends often, I can be around them when they drink. I just get an NA beer instead. I don't go out as often as I did, but I just figure this is part of not using/drinking right now.

its really smart recovery...