Understanding Recovery Support Groups Like AA and SMART Recovery
When you begin your journey toward addiction recovery, you will have a multitude of recovery resources that are available to you. Regardless of whether you opt to work through an inpatient or an outpatient program, you will always be encouraged to participate in different types of structured recovery groups so that you can continue to grow and develop in your overall recovery.
There are many people that mistakenly believe that the only option that they have when it comes to this aspect of their recovery journey is Alcoholics Anonymous, which is commonly referred to as AA. However, there are some that simply don’t feel comfortable with the premise of AA because they closely associate this program structure with religion. SMART Recovery was developed as an alternative to AA so that those that are working on their own recovery have a choice and flexibility when it comes to their treatment journey.
What is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous was an organization that was originally developed in the 1930s by a man who was deemed to be a chronic alcoholic. In fact, his friends and family members had completely given up on him and he had been institutionalized countless times as a result of his addiction. The man, whose name was Bill Wilson, came across the path of a doctor named Dr. Bob during one of his hospitalizations. Dr. Bob was eager to help this man who could never seem to overcome his deadly alcoholism. As the two of them began to work together, both realized that there were tremendous benefits associated with alcoholics interacting and communicating with other alcoholics about their experiences. Through open and honest communication, participants in the group meetings could offer experiences and insights from others that truly wanted to overcome this dangerous addiction. Thus, Alcoholics Anonymous was born.
The basis of Alcoholics Anonymous is found in the 12 steps of the program which are as follows:
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
AA participants will need to work through the 12 steps with a sponsor who is categorized as a person that has worked through the steps with their own sponsor and can provide guidance to their sponsee. The 12 steps are meant to be reviewed and worked through multiple times to keep the person in line with living a healthy and successful life.
What is SMART Recovery?
If you aren’t a spiritual or religious person, you may find it difficult to follow the model that is set down through AA. This is the leading reason why SMART Recovery was initially developed. Whereas there are 12 steps that a person must follow in their AA program, the basis of SMART Recovery is four specific points or phases of treatment which are:
- Building and maintaining motivation
- Coping with urges
- Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Living a balanced life
You will quickly notice that the spiritual aspects that are intertwined in AA are not found in SMART Recovery. The basis behind SMART Recovery is that through mutual help and support, you will be able to overcome any addiction including drugs, alcoholism, gambling, sex, or any other habit that could be potentially deadly or dangerous for you.
Differences and Similarities Between AA and SMART Recovery
One of the popular questions that many people have when it comes to AA and SMART Recovery revolves around the differences and similarities between the two options. Over and above the spiritual side of things, the style of a SMART Recovery meeting is much more open and conversational in comparison to an AA meeting. An AA meeting has more of a structured format when it comes to sharing which can make some people less inclined to share.
The idea of sponsorship in SMART Recovery is also completely different from sponsorship in an AA program. SMART Recovery gives you the flexibility to work through the different phases of your recovery program on your own or with the help of a sponsor. SMART Recovery also strongly recommends that every attendee collaborates with a psychotherapist in addition to attending meetings which is not a trending theme in AA.
Another key difference between these recovery groups is the labels and graduation premise. SMART Recovery followers believe that labeling yourself as an addict only encourages the overall negative stigma that is often associated with addiction whereas step one of AA requires that you openly admit that you have an addiction problem and your life has become unmanageable. You also have the opportunity to “graduate” from SMART Recovery whereas AA holds that recovery is a lifelong process and you should attend as many AA meetings as possible to help you maintain your sobriety.
Benefits of Attending Addiction Recovery Support Groups
Regardless of whether you decide to commit to AA meetings, SMART Recovery meetings or even both, there are several advantages of taking the time to go to recovery support groups. Some of the examples include:
Friendship and support
It’s important that you feel comfortable sharing your addiction experiences in an environment where you feel safe and supported. When you attend an addiction recovery support group, that is exactly what you will feel. You may even find that you can develop relationships with people outside of the group setting and call on them if you are struggling with someone.
Structure
Any person that has ever struggled with addiction will tell you that when they were in the midst of active addiction, they felt as though their world was out of control. Keeping to a certain structure and schedule can help you to remain focused on the goals that you have for yourself and your sobriety.
Availability
One of the fantastic aspects of addiction recovery support groups is that these groups are available at seemingly any point in the day. Whether you’re struggling with a craving when you first wake up in the morning or you have had a difficult day and you feel like you may give in to temptation, there are countless AA and SMART Recovery meetings in any area in the country.
Rehab and Recovery Support at Pacific Manor Recovery
At Pacific Manor Recovery, we understand the stress that is often associated with addiction which is why we go above and beyond to provide our clients with the resources that they need to work through the different facets of their recovery journey. If you make the decision to come to Pacific Manor Recovery, you will be able to work with our team to develop your own personalized treatment program such as:
Inpatient treatment
Unfortunately, there are many people that spiral into their addiction because they don’t live in an environment that is conducive to sobriety. This could be for a number of reasons. For example, do you live with other family members that are battling their own addiction? Perhaps your loved ones don’t understand that addiction is a disease and requires a professional intervention in order for you to truly work through all of the contributing factors in your addiction.
Outpatient treatment
An outpatient treatment program is an ideal treatment solution for a person that may have full-time or even part-time work or school responsibilities. This treatment option is less restrictive in comparison to an inpatient program and allows you to maintain these responsibilities while still receiving the help and the care that you need to address your addiction.
Both an inpatient treatment plan and an outpatient program can last anywhere between 30 and 90 days. Keep in mind that you can also mix and match your programs meaning that you can begin with a 30-day inpatient treatment plan and then transition into a longer outpatient program.
If you have more questions about the differences between AA and Smart Recovery or you’re ready to commit to a treatment program, please get in touch with us today at (888) 300-4370.
The post SMART Recovery vs. AA: What’s the Difference? appeared first on Pacific Manor Recovery.
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