This thread can be used to discuss various addiction recovery groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Celebrate Recovery (RC), LifeRing Secular Recovery (LSR), Moderation Management (MM), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), SMART Recovery, Women For Sobriety (WFS), and others. Many of these are 12-step programs patterned after the AA program, while others are not. If someone wants to discuss treatment plans, as opposed to recovery mutual/self-help groups, that can be done here too. If it turns out that there are enough posts about treatment plans, they can be moved to a separate thread.
About a year ago, I went through the training to become a facilitator for the SMART Recovery program, and have been holding a SMART Recovery meeting each Monday night at my wife's recovery center, and will soon be setting up a virtual meeting for the SMART Friends & Family program, intended for family members and friends of addicted people. I think I'll begin that one as a virtual-only meeting so that I can do it from home, and not have to drive all the way to the Center only to have no one show up. My SMART Recovery meeting isn't well attended yet, but I understand that's not unusual for any new meetings and, in this case, the SMART program is new to the area, whereas most people are familiar with AA. We're getting only 2-4 people so far, and that's fine. Since I am a new facilitator, it's easier for me to get used to it with only a few people, I suppose. SMART Recovery is for addictive behaviors, including addictions to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and even behavioral issues, such as compulsive gambling and eating disorders. The SMART program uses techniques from Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy. It is not a 12-step program, nor does it include a spiritual component. Although spirituality is not prohibited, it is a secular program. Although it's not a 12-step program, it can be a companion to a 12-step program. A couple of regular attendees also attend AA meetings. Although members support one another in discussions during the meetings, the emphasis is on self-help, and includes various tools, exercises, and strategies for dealing with addictions of any kind. This is enough for a start, I suppose. I'll be posting more in time.
Good to hear that your are giving your time and energy to such a worthy undertaking. I followed your link to the Smart Recovery website, and on of the available books was about folks who were dealing with "Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders". I recall reading an article (back in the pre-internet days) about "addictive personalities" and the observation that many people suffer from multiple addictions, with alcohol/tobacco/gambling being the most common trifecta.
I think the idea is that people are predisposed to addiction, not to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or whatever, which is why children of someone who drinks to excess might become addicted to drugs or to other behaviors.
I have been worrying about children addicted to the internet. We had tv but it was left in the living room. Smart devices go everywhere and can do almost everything. Little two year olds are glued to them even by parents who don't wish to be disturbed in restaurants etc. and even if the devices are removed, the addiction is already there.
I want to read about the Smart Recovery Program, I have a couple family members in the midst of their addictions and complications. One is a young 19 year old and the other mid 40's. They have individual programs and rehabs to presently intervene, but still so many extreme hardships. Anyway, thank you for this topic Ken Anderson..