---
title: What is SMART Recovery?
description: The SMART Recovery program is a self-empowering program for people fighting substance use disorders and alcohol use disorder. Learn the benefits here.
---

[Addiction Recovery Blog](https://www.aquilarecoveryva.com/blog)

# [What is SMART Recovery?](https://www.aquilarecoveryva.com/blog/what-is-smart-recovery)

 Written by [Russ Kallina](https://www.aquilarecoveryva.com/blog/author/russ-kallina) | Jul 17, 2017

Overcoming a substance abuse disorder is a slow and a challenging process but you are never alone in the process of recovery. Though there are several treatment options to help you in your recovery process, a SMART Recovery Program can be certainly helpful. Organizations such as the [National Institute on Drug Abuse](https://www.drugabuse.gov/) and the [American Academy of Family Physicians](http://www.aafp.org/home.html) have recognized SMART Recovery as an effective tool for working through substance use disorder.

**What Is SMART Recovery?**

SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a self-empowering support program for people fighting substance use disorders and alcohol use disorder. It teaches you how to better control your thoughts and feelings without turning to substance use. It includes techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and [motivational enhancement therapy](http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/motivational-enhancement-therapy). SMART Recovery uses a simpler 4 point approach that helps you maintain abstinence. These four points are:

- Building Motivation
- Coping with urges
- Problem Solving
- Lifestyle Balance

**The SMART Recovery Program – Seven Stages of Change**

The SMART program recognizes seven stages of change in their addiction recovery program. These stages include:

- **The pre-contemplation stage** is when you are engaged in alcohol and substance abuse and you aren’t ready to believe that you have a problem.
- **The contemplation stage** is when you begin to weigh up the pros and cons of your behavior.
- It is at the **determination/preparation stage** that you enroll for a SMART program that will guide you through creating a plan worksheet.
- The **action stage** is the point when the process of recovery begins.
- Once you’ve entered recovery, you move onto the **maintenance stage**. Here you need to continue taking whatever action is needed to help you maintain sobriety.
- The [relapse](https://www.aquilarecoveryva.com/blog/overcoming-a-slip-or-relapse) **stage** where you return to your former habits. It is vital to understand that this stage is not compulsory.
- At the **termination stage**, if you have established yourself in recovery, you may graduate from the SMART program depending on your progress.

**How is SMART Recovery Helpful for Me?**

The SMART Recovery program is helpful in many ways. Here are a few benefits of the program:

- The program teaches you how to be self-empowered,
- It provides you group support and educational tools to work through substance use disorder,
- The program avoids using labels, such as “alcoholic” or “addict,”
- If you not had success at a 12 Step group, you may need a different format.

Recovery is a life-long process and it’s important to find the program that works for you to help you stay sober. [Call us today](https://www.aquilarecoveryva.com/contact) and we can discuss which rehabilitation programs could be the best fit for you.

 

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