Thursday, 30 January 2014

SMART Recovery

Self Management and Recovery Training or SMART Recovery is a program designed to provide help and assistance for those seeking abstinence from addictions including alcoholism, drug abuse, substance abuse, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, cocaine addiction, and addiction to other substances and activities. Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery uses a combination of science and secularism based on motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral techniques for alcohol treatment and other substance abuse addictions.

The core of the recovery effort is based on scientific knowledge and has evolved over time to incorporate new information into their treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction recovery. Motivational interviewing lies at the center of these techniques which is used to treat people who have committed themselves to treatment for alcohol, drugs and other substances. Treatment centers that use SMART Recovery methods focus on what is referred to as the Four Points.  The four points are: Building and Maintaining Motivation to abstain (motivational interviewing); Coping with Urges (cognitive behavioral skills training for relapse prevention; Problem Solving (managing thoughts, feelings and behavior with cognitive behavioral techniques) and Lifestyle Balance (balancing stressors and leisure for momentary and enduring satisfaction).

From these Four Points, a program is developed for the individual who is seeking to achieve abstinence from their substance abuse. There are no 12 Steps like you find in Alcoholics Anonymous, but SMART recovery uses the stages of change model to help those seeking treatment for alcohol or drugs.

-       Pre-contemplation: The step before a person realizes they have a problem.

-       Contemplation: Understanding the pros/cons of entering a rehab program.

-       Determination/Preparation: Preparing to take Action.

-       Action: Commitment to find abstinence

-       Maintenance: Having made the changes, maintaining them.

-       Relapse: Learning from if it should occur.

-       Termination: The end of the program.


From these seven changes, SMART seeks to help the individual track their progress and find recovery from substance abuse.

SMART Recovery and Alcohol Abuse

Treatment begins with meetings which are free and led by a facilitator who volunteers their time. There are also meetings online which are held and members can attend as many as they wish to help find the strength to overcome their addiction to alcohol.

SMART Recovery offers an alternative to the heavy emphasis on Christianity that Alcoholics Anonymous offers its members. The success rate has been strong enough for SMART to continue its services for 20 years as it expands around the world.

SMART Recovery combines science, knowledge and motivation into a specific approach to treat alcoholics and drug abusers to find abstinence in their lives. SMART Recovery has been recognized by a number of medical institutions for their work which continues to grow in fighting alcohol and drug abuse.

Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with SMART Recovery.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on motivational interviewing, stages of change, cognitive behavioral techniques to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Substance abuse treatment can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment or visit : Mental Health Resources, PLLC

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