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SMART Recovery® (SR) and SMART Recovery® Therapy (SRT)
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SMART
Recovery® (SR) is a national organization of free mutual-support groups for overcoming addictive behavior. SR
meetings are usually led by non-professional peers who volunteer to serve as meeting "facilitators." "SMART Recovery® Therapy (SRT)" is professional
fee-for-service therapy/counseling and/or education, provided by licensed substance abuse professionals, registered with SMART
Recovery®. SRT professionals help clients learn to use the scientifically grounded principles and methods of
the SMART Recovery® program and encourage clients to engaged in the free, peer led, SR meetings. (For most of my clients, participating
in the free local or online SMART meetings, in addition to counseling with me, can be quite beneficial. Even
though it is usually a wise thing to do; in my practice attending SMART meetings is voluntary.) SR face-to-face and online meetings are excellent resources for
helping clients maintain their progress both during formal treatment and and after completing professional services. For more
information on SMART Recovery®, please see following information or you can link to the SMART national website:
SMARTRecovery.org
SMART Website
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NOTE! Until Further Notice: the Raleigh SMART Meeting is not active at this time! Please contact Andy Orr, at email or phone (see below) for info or updates (Go to TriangleSMARTRecovery.org for info about meetings
in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Carrboro)
Raleigh SMART Recovery® Meeting
Thurdays, 7:30-9 PM
213 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh,NC 27609
Email: RaleighSMART@aol.com.Phone: (919)274-8001
Detailed Directions to Raleigh Meeting:
213 Six Forks road (inside the beltline) in the office townhomes at the corner of Plantation Drive.
From the I-440 Beltline:
1) Take the Six Forks Rd. Exit# 8-A
2) Merge onto Six Forks Rd. (traveling
southeast)
3) go about 1. mi. on Six Forks
4) Turn left at Plantation Rd (just before you get to the
Crown Service Station)
5) After about 50 feet, turn left into office complex, but watch out for the concrete divider
in the entrance.
6) Turn right after passing the concrete divider. We are in Suite 213, at the far end of the building
on your right. If you do not see a SMART sign on the door, then look for the number 214. Our address is actually 213, but
the 214 sign is big and easier to see.
7) Come upstairs, turn right at the top of the stairs, and we should be
in the 2nd door on the left side of the hallway.
CAUTION: There are First Step Services treatment groups going
on in other rooms and those people are often standing around outside taking a break around 7:30. Don't make the mistake of
following the wrong people into the wrong group session (it has happened)! If you ask someone for directions make sure you
tell them, you are looking for the free SMART Recovery support group meeting! and don't be surprised if they have no idea
who or where SMART is.
Go to: TriangleSMARTRecovery.org
for
info and directions about the SMART Recovery meetings in: - Chapel Hill (Tues. evenings)
- Durham (Weds. evenings)
- Carrboro (Sat. mornings)
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SMART is
the acronym for Self Management and Recovery Training. SMART Recovery® is a national non-profit organization
that facilitates abstinence based mutual-help groups for recovery from problems related to substance abuse and dependency
or other addictive behaviors. The group is free and open to the public. No prior arrangements are necessary to attend.
The SMART approach views addiction as learned behavior, i.e., a bad habit which can be stopped. Consequently, in contrast
to "twelve step" beliefs, SMART discourages labeling people as "alcoholics" or "addicts," and
prefers to label the addictive behavior patterns rather than the person. Thus, one might say, "I've become addicted to
or dependent on alcohol (or drugs) rather than "I am an alcoholic (or addict)."
SMART does not view addiction
as a disease that renders a person "powerlessness" to help themselves. Consequently, SMART does not include "spiritual"
or religious beliefs. SMART affirms that recovery is a learned behavior that does not require supernatural powers. We view
addictive behavior as a human problem with human solutions.
SMART encourages people to accept and practice self-responsibility,
and to develop self-motivation and self-discipline as the primary means of stopping one's troublesome substance use. With
practice and persistence, one can establish a more balanced lifestyle that enables one to maintain a substance free and satisfying
way of life.
SMART's philosophy and techniques are based upon Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, motivational enhancement,
relapse prevention techniques, and the scientific research on behavioral change processes. As you can see, SMART is an excellent
option for people who desire an alternative, or perhaps even an adjunct, to twelve step programs. Individuals who can adopt
a flexible "take what you need and leave the rest" attitude may benefit from participating in both SMART and twelve
step groups.
SMART meetings are usually led by volunteer peer “coordinators” who are non-professional
members of the group. Most SMART groups have a “volunteer advisor” serving as a resource person for the group.
Groups usually “pass the hat” for contributions to help defray group expenses.
Anyone interested in
learning about SMART Recovery® is welcome to attend, visitors are welcome, including professionals who just
want to see what it is all about. If you don't plan to visit or attend we hope you will at least pass the word about SMART
Recovery®.
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