We appreciate that face-to-face meetings may be a source of concern due to the Coronavirus. We’re in the process of reaching out to our face-to-face facilitators to offer and support the transition of some meetings from in-person to online. At this point, the decision to do so is solely up to the meeting organizers. We advise you to verify this site’s meeting schedule before making preparations to attend a meeting, and to speak with your local facilitator about any questions or concerns you may have. Read more about our COVID-19 reaction.

The public is welcome to attend local SMART Recovery meetings (with the exception of those that state Private or Specialized). There is no charge to attend, however donations are collected in a hat. You do not need to make contact with the facilitator or register in advance; simply turn up (unless there is a note requesting attendees call first). If you have any concerns or require additional information, please contact the facilitator using the information provided.

This list is updated on a regular basis, and new meetings are added as they become available. If you don’t see a meeting in your area on the list, keep checking back because new meetings are added on a regular basis.

If you arrive at a meeting place and no one is there, please call the facilitator to see if the meeting is still on. Things come up from time to time that prohibit volunteer facilitators from attending. Please complete the Problematic Behavior Reporting form located here: http://www.smartrecovery.org/reporting problems.html if you are unable to contact the facilitator or if two or more attempts to attend the meeting are unsuccessful/no meeting is taking place.

If there isn’t a meeting listed for your location, there isn’t one currently scheduled.

* Consider hosting a local SMART Recovery meeting or joining one of our online meetings.

NOTE TO TREATMENT CENTERS: We appreciate your growing interest in sending patients to SMART meetings in their communities. If you’re sending four or more participants, we recommend notifying the facilitators ahead of time so they can manage logistics if necessary.

SMART Recovery is based on scientific understanding and is designed to change as science advances. The approach incorporates motivational interviewing ideas from motivational enhancement therapy (MET), as well as strategies from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), notably the form known as rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), and scientifically proven treatment studies. Participants who choose to take appropriately prescribed drugs, including opioid-agonist pharmaceuticals, as part of their recovery programs will find the SMART Recovery Program and meetings to be welcoming.

Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance are the four areas that the organization’s program focuses in the recovery process. The “SMART Toolbox” is a collection of several MET, CBT, and REBT approaches, or “tools,” that deal with the 4 Points.

SMART Recovery is a stand-alone primary recovery support program for anyone seeking help recovering from addictions, although it is not exclusive. The program is classified as a “Alternative to AA” or a “Alternative to the Twelve Steps” because it does not use the twelve steps that form the foundation of numerous “Anonymous” self-help groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and so on). Each person, according to SMART Recovery, discovers his or her own road to recovery. SMART Recovery’s main program publication, The SMART Recovery Handbook, lists it as a “alternative” but also suggests it as a possible “supplement” to twelve-step programs.

Transitional Stages

Participants in SMART Recovery may be at one or more of the several stages of change, and different activities may be beneficial at different stages.

1. Precontemplation – The person may not be aware that they have a problem at this point.
2. Contemplation – The person performs a cost-benefit analysis to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the addiction.
3. Determination/Preparation – The participant decides to make a change in their life and may fill out a Change Plan Worksheet.
4. Action – The person looks for new strategies to cope with their addiction. Self-help, support from an addiction help group, or professional counseling are all options.
5. Maintenance – The participant’s behavior has altered after a few months, and they now want to keep their gains.
6. Graduation/Exit — After a long period of transformation, a participant may opt to “graduate” from SMART Recovery and continue on with their lives

Spectator event: Relapse – While not unavoidable, relapses are a natural part of the transformation process and, when handled properly, can be a valuable learning experience in the fight against addiction.