SMART Recovery: What's the Difference?

Photo by Tammah Watts


WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? 

By Tammah Watts

We are now offering MiraCosta students a Recovery Support Group that is SMART Recovery informed and facilitated by a licensed counselor from the Health Services Department.

Some of you have been asking, “What’s the difference between SMART Recovery Support Groups and 12-Step Recovery Support Groups?”

First, I’d like to share with you how these programs are SIMILAR:

BOTH ARE:
  • Free
  • Confidential
  • Diverse
  • Available in in-person and online formats
  • Able to offer Verification of Attendance for legal and other needs
  • Structured to promote learning from others with similar challenges and goals
  • Facilitated by non-profit organizations locally, nationally, and internationally
  • Recognized by governmental and private entities including SAMSHA, NIH, and academia

Next, I’d like to share with you the primary DIFFERENCES between the two recovery support models:

SMART Recovery (Self-Management And Recovery Training):

  • Established in 1994
  • FOCUS: Self-empowerment, Courage, Activity
  • FOUNDATION: Scientific and evidenced-based
  • PURPOSE: Based on individual goals
  • PRINCIPLES: 4-Point Program: 1) Building and maintaining motivation, 2) Coping with urges, 3) Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and 4) Living a balanced lifestyle utilizing cognitive behavioral methods and problem-solving
  • EMPHASIS: “The power of CHOICE”
  • ADDICTION AS A DISEASE: Up to the participant
  • ACCEPTANCE OF MODERATION: Up to the participant
  • Non-confrontational
  • Motivational methods
  • Can complement other treatment modalities
  • Encourages conversations, healthy social interactions, and group activities
  • No sponsors
  • Focused on preventing maladaptive behaviors, not labels (alcoholic, drug addict etc.)
  • No counting days requirement
  • No hierarchy
  • Promotes the sharing of everyone’s experiences
  • Avoids direct advice giving
  • No lifetime attendance requirement

12-STEP Recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous or AA):

  • Established in 1935
  • FOCUS: Serenity, Acceptance of Powerlessness, Higher Power
  • FOUNDATION: Spiritual-based; Religious and use of God
  • PURPOSE: Abstinence
  • PRINCIPLES: 12 Steps
  • EMPHASIS: Admit powerlessness over alcohol and other addictions. Use of prayer and meditation and seeking help from higher power.
  • ADDICTION AS A DISEASE: Yes
  • ACCEPTANCE OF MODERATION: No
  • Listening to speaker
  • Use of sponsors
  • Use of labels to identify problem
  • Promotes counting/monitoring days of sobriety
  • Encourages lifetime attendance
  • Hierarchy of leadership/meetings

I hope that this introductory overview about the differences between SMART Recovery and 12-Step Recovery has been helpful.

The MiraCosta College SMART Recovery Support Group is offered every Wednesday from 12pm-1pm via Zoom. Please reach out to Health Services at 760.795.6675 if you have any questions or would like additional information.

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