|
|
|
|
|
Inside This Issue
Timely Announcements Helpful Content 25-in-25 Volunteer Recognition Program
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SMART Clarifies Position: Moves Toward 'Abstinence-Oriented' Recovery Support
|
|
Recently, the SMART Recovery USA Board made a minor but important change by replacing the term “abstinence-based” with “abstinence-oriented” in describing our approach to helping people. This is because people with opioid addiction are dying from overdoses when their “abstinence-based” treatment and recovery support preclude the use of opioid agonist medications, such as methadone and buprenorphine. A large part of the U.S. treatment and recovery support world continues to regard the use of these medications as “substituting one drug for another.”
SMART strongly opposes this position because these agonists help maintain tolerance to protect people from deadly overdoses when they relapse, which is common in opioid use recovery. This position is shared by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, American Medical Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, World Health Organization, and many other prominent authorities worldwide. |
|
|
|
|
[PODCAST RELEASE] Moving from 'Abstinence-Based' to 'Abstinence-Oriented' Recovery Support
|
|
While this terminology change may seem minimal to some, it is certainly not to Board President Bill Greer. To provide some additional context to this important announcement, we sat down with Bill to discuss SMART's larger focus on reducing stigma that often comes with addiction terminology, why SMART's new stance in moving toward abstinence-oriented is so important, and the positive impact we hope it will have in helping those who utilize or wish to utilize medication-assisted-treatment (MAT) in their recovery.
You can find this podcast interview on: |
|
|
|
|
|
[REMINDER] Please Submit Annual Survey by February 29
|
|
Help Shape the Future of SMART Recovery!
The survey will be open until February 29.
Note: Survey responses will be shared and are meant to be anonymous. We recommend not providing sensitive information or answers which can identify the responder.
Thanks in advance for your participation and contributions to SMART Recovery!
If you have already submitted your survey response, THANK YOU! Please respond to the survey only once.
|
|
|
|
|
|
[IN THE NEWS] Spectrum News 1, Lexington, KY
|
|
SMART Recovery was recently featured in a news piece through Spectrum News 1 out of Lexington, Kentucky.
The news station also included interviews with Board President Bill Greer, who gave a great overview of the organization and program, and with John Kelly, Ph.D., a renowned expert in the addiction field, who shared his opinion, as well as past and current research on SMART Recovery as a viable program for addiction recovery.
This news piece was featured throughout the state of Kentucky and syndicated in Orlando, FL and Columbus, OH.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 Tips to Help Keep Your SMART Meeting Alive in Your Community
|
|
We all know that emergencies and changes of schedule happen. Whether a flat tire, a family emergency, or even a family member’s sporting event or school play – we are sometimes unfortunately and through no fault of our own called away from prior commitments and others who might be depending on us.
Facilitating a SMART Recovery meeting is no different. Life sometimes takes our facilitators away from their meetings, leaving participants who count on these meetings unable to get the help they need on that night or perhaps even that week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tips and Tools for Recovery that Works! Unconditional Self Acceptance (USA)
|
|
|
USA is an important exercise because, as anyone in recovery knows, addiction to any substance or behavior generates a host of emotions, many of them quite negative, that can undermine your feelings of self-worth.
When your self-worth takes a hit, remember one of the core values of SMART Recovery: YOU ARE NOT YOUR BEHAVIOR.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SMART Recovery Meeting Facilitator Spotlight Dan Hostetler, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center
|
|
|
Dan Hostetler, Executive Director of Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center in Chicago, IL, reflects on his experiences as a SMART Recovery meeting Facilitator. Dan invites you to join our ever-growing and worldwide team of volunteers to help people learn to help themselves.
You'll not only be helping others Discover the Power of Choice, you'll also experience the rewarding and enduring satisfaction that comes with being of service to others as a SMART Recovery volunteer!
If you are a meeting Facilitator and would like to be featured in our next Facilitator Spotlight Video, please email us at smartrecoverytv@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
25-in-25 Volunteer Recognition Program
|
|
In our 25th Anniversary year, we are honoring 25 volunteers who serve in a variety of roles. Learn more about this program and see the list of recognized volunteers.
|
|
|
|
Michael Werner’s roots go back to the Rational Recovery days, but he recently started meetings in several North Carolina hospitals and rehabilitation centers. He quickly became a spokesperson for the program by supporting a burgeoning meeting network in Chicago and became a teacher, facilitator, and mentor of new recruits. Despite a serious chronic medical condition, he never slowed down advocating for SMART.
|
|
|
|
|
Carol and Richard Siddall
|
|
Carol and Richard Siddall work together to support SMART in numerous ways: running meetings, representing SMART at recovery events, speaking to groups about SMART, and encouraging new volunteers to start new meetings. Internationally, they had a hand in launching the first SMART meeting in South Korea. They lent a hand as needed to organize volunteers for outreach projects in Washington, D.C., and assisted in launching IT upgrades in the SMART Online Community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Submit Meeting Change Requests
|
|
If your upcoming meeting will be changing for any reason, submit a meeting change request form. We appreciate helping to make sure nothing is missed and participants do not attempt to attend a meeting that is not happening. |
|
|
|
Submit Your Pass-the-Hat Donations
|
|
Pass-the-Hat contributions from meetings help us provide resources to our facilitators, offer training at a reduced cost to those who qualify, and support the enormous task of maintaining and improving the national website and its growing resources for volunteers and participants. Additionally, it is beneficial for meeting participants to feel they are investing in their ongoing recovery.
Include your meeting ID number and meeting city and state, so we can associate the donation with your group. |
|
|
|
Join Weekly SMM Calls for SMART Volunteers
|
|
SMART Meeting Management (SMM) Meetings are open to all active SMART Recovery Facilitators, Hosts, and Trainees interested in improving their knowledge and developing meeting management skills. We’ll discuss the tough and sensitive issues that arise and share successes and techniques, including following meeting guidelines, how to do SMART Recovery, and how to create an accepting, non-judgmental environment. Although facilitated, this is very much a group learning/support session. Call Details: - Dates and Times: SMM meetings take place weekly on Monday at 10:00 p.m. (ET) and Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
- ZOOM: Please join us on Zoom for our next call.
- Call-In Number: To join us via cell, use this "one-tap" number: +19294362866,,154575482# US.
We encourage you to set recurring meetings in your calendar with the above link and/or number so that you are reminded to join us as often as possible. We hope to see you in a SMM meeting soon! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here's a look at the most recent articles posted on the SMART Recovery Blog.
|
|
|
|
|
Here's a look at the most recent videos posted to SMART Recovery's YouTube Channel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Melina Gilbert, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
|
|
Melina Gilbert has moved into the role of Volunteer Outreach Coordinator in SMART Recovery's National Office, and is the main point of contact for our volunteers. Learn about Melina in this article.
If you have questions, needs, feedback, please reach out to Melina at: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Submit Your Group Donations to SMART Recovery
with the tools to abstain from any substance or activity addiction.
|
|
