THERE IS HOPE.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a non-profit, mutual aid organization committed to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism. The “Fellowship” offers social and emotional support for people attempting to recover from alcohol dependence through a 12-step model. The foundation of the AA model is that people can support one another in their quest to maintain abstinence from alcohol, but that recovery from alcoholism ultimately requires surrender to a “higher power”. This “higher power” does not necessarily indicate a Christian version of God; it can be as simple as the 12-step community, or a different version of a higher power based on an individual’s faith tradition. Scientific studies have demonstrated that AA does as well or better than other treatment approaches of alcohol dependence or no treatment. 

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SMART Recovery is a non-profit organization offering support groups and related services for individuals desiring to abstain from any type of addictive behavior (activity or substance). “SMART” stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training. The SMART approach to recovery is based on scientifically supported concepts and techniques. Its broadly cognitive-behavioral, because cognitive-behavioral interventions at present account for the majority of empirically supported addiction interventions (Hester & Miller, 1995). This perspective places SMART in contrast to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step groups, which describe their recovery programs as having a spiritual foundation (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1976).SMART meetings are typically led by a non-professional volunteer (the meeting coordinator). In some instances behavioral health professionals volunteer as coordinators. SMART Recovery focuses on self-empowerment and adopts key principles (e.g., self-efficacy) and therapeutic approaches (e.g., motivational interviewing and cognitive– behavioral therapy) shown to be effective in promoting recovery from addiction.

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