1. Building and maintain motivation 2. Coping with urges 3 ...

1 smart recovery is recognized by The American Academy of Family Physicians, The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), The Center for Health Care Evaluation, The American Council on Alcoholism (ACA), The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. 7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F, Mentor, OH 44060 Phone: Toll free: Fax: Email: Website: WHAT IS smart recovery ?

2 smart recovery (Self-Management and recovery Training) is an international non-profit program helping individuals gain independence from addictive behaviors (substances or activities) and helping them learn how to start living the life that they want. Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves. We focus on choice, self-empowerment and self-reliance (internal locus of control). We realize there are as many paths in recovery as there are people.

3 smart advocates the appropriate use of prescribed medications and psychological treatments. Participation in smart is not a life-long commitment. smart members attend meetings until they find the meetings are no longer helpful. Hopefully some members will become facilitators before moving on. We are completely made up of volunteers, except for paid employees in our central office in Mentor, OH outside of Cleveland. o smart recovery began in 1994 and now consists of over 1000 f2f weekly meetings, in 10 countries along with, 8 Chicago area meetings and 28 online meetings at Our website also includes discussion boards, chat rooms, a blog, podcasts and many articles and reference materials.

4 Over 35,000 visitors monthly. HOW DOES IT WORK? smart uses a simple 4-POINT PROGRAM. Research shows that people who have successfully made changes in their behaviors have been successful in these following four areas: 1. Building and maintain motivation 2. Coping with urges 3. Managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors 4. Living a balanced life smart TOOLS smart employs a variety of tools and techniques to help individuals gain independence from addictive behaviors. Participants are encouraged to learn how to use each tool and to practice the tools and techniques as they progress toward Point 4 of the program living a balanced life.

5 These tools include: - Stages of Change - Change Plan Worksheet: lays out what you want to change and how you will go about it. - Cost/Benefit Analysis: looks at the pros/cons of using and quitting (helps motivation ) - Hierarchy of Values: top 5 or 10 things important to you and understand how using effects them - ABCs of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy for Urge Coping & Emotional Upsets: A way to learn your belief system and challenge your beliefs (thinking) to make life easier Destructive Irrational Self-talk Awareness & Refusal Method (DISARM).

6 Understanding the little voice in your head that says to use and ways to refuse/ignore - Brainstorming: The group helps address an issue by generating creative solutions - Role-playing and Rehearsing: a way to practice new behaviors (like refusing a drink) - Unconditional Self-Acceptance (USA) smart recovery is recognized by The American Academy of Family Physicians, The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), The Center for Health Care Evaluation, The American Council on Alcoholism (ACA), The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

7 NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. HANDBOOK Consider purchasing a Handbook for $10 from the facilitator. The handbook makes it much easier to understand and practice the tools. While some tools are available online, all tools, and much more, are located in the handbook. If you cannot afford a book, please talk to the facilitator. MEETINGS Meetings last 75-90 minutes and are open to anyone. While the meetings are free, we do pass a hat for donations to help with expenses but you are not required to give.

8 The outline is listed to the right. We encourage discussion in our meetings yet you can just listen. FAMILY & FRIENDS MEETINGS smart recovery Family & Friends helps those who are affected by the substance abuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or other addictions of a loved one. Our method is based on the tools of smart recovery and CRAFT (Community Reinforcement Approach & Family Training). Please visit the Family & Friends page on our website for resources or attend the 2 online meetings and/or the Thursday night local Chicago Meeting.

9 WHAT WILL I LEARN? People who utilize smart recovery and its tools come to believe I am not powerless. I can change my beliefs that contributed to my drinking/using, for example, the shoulds musts and wants in my life. I can recognize that relapse, should it occur, is a learning opportunity. I own my reactions to the world and the events in it; I can take responsibility. I can manage my own thoughts and emotions using the smart recovery tools. I can put a space between the thought and the action, allowing time for a better outcome.

10 I can recognize the difference between my thoughts, feelings and behaviors. I can consider my options and remember that I have choices. I recognize that my feelings pass eventually; I can tolerate uncomfortable feelings, recognizing them as a normal part of everyday living. I can tell myself that having short-comings is a sign of being human. I have tools (such as Coping statements and the ABC s) to help manage my emotions and reactions to them. I can acknowledge my mistakes and hold myself accountable for making them but without berating myself for creating them.