SMART Recovery Basics
A Brief Introduction to SMART
While some paths to recovery offer formalized, sequential steps to complete, SMART Recovery relies on The 4 Points, or four key areas where an individual might need to focus in order to make and maintain change. These can be addressed simultaneously, or in whatever order feels most logical to the individual.
Building and Maintaining Motivation
Coping with Urges
Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
Living a Balanced Life
Point 1
Building and Maintaining Motivation
Whether a person is internally or externally motivated to explore change, lasting change is more likely with continued attention and effort to reinforce and expand what motivates them.
Point 2
Coping with Urges
Often a person is confronted with the desire to do something that might help them feel better in the moment regardless of the outcome. Managing impulsivity and increasing tolerance to uncomfortable situations and emotions builds resilience and supports more helpful behavior and positive outcomes over time.
Point 3
Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected. Understanding and managing patterns in thought can support a more helpful view of the world, more positive feelings, and behavior that reflects that.
Point 4
Living a Balanced Life
Creating and maintaining a more balanced life supports long-term wellbeing. Paying attention to the time and energy we devote to various aspects of our lives and finding a healthy balance between them can diminish the need to rely on unhelpful behaviors. Only the individual can define what makes their life meaningful and that may change overtime.
As helpful as The 4 Points have been for many people, the foundational principle of SMART Recovery is written into the motto: “Discover the Power of Choice”. Each individual is empowered to explore different ideas and make the changes they feel would benefit them.