Subject: News & Views: November 2021

November Features Veterans & First Responders

A Message from a Veteran

Resources are Available

Veterans are one of the hardest hit demographics for addiction and mental health disorders. SMART Recovery has remained a consistent resource for veterans to find the support, skills, and tools to regaining control over their addiction and mental health disorders. Many vets have voiced their opinions on the effectiveness of the SMART Recovery program in aiding their journey to empowerment and sobriety.

We are proud to support and honor our veterans here at SMART Recovery. We acknowledge that we enjoy the liberties of this nation due to their commitment and sacrifice. If there are veterans that require support, we have a duty to be there in any capacity to assist them to reach their objectives. SMART is proud to answer that call.

Mike Hooper, State Outreach Director Ohio

U.S. Army Veteran 2^nd/113^th 42^nd ID

Veterans Resources

New Online Meetings

Veterans & First Responders

Sundays at 6:00 p.m. ET
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. ET (Women)
Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET (Tools)

These meetings are password protected.

To get the password you must be registered in SROL and have prior access to the Military Veterans & First Responder's Forum.

Find a Meeting

Podcast

Old Enough to Serve, Old Enough to Drink

In this podcast, hear Army Veteran Holly Paulsen share how she woke up still drunk after a night of drinking, then decided to make changes in her life. Today, she is living her best life and helping other veterans get the help and resources they deserve, plus much more.

Listen Now

NAADAC Webinar: Combat Trauma and Addiction

SMART strives to bring timely, content rich articles and information to our community from a variety of sources.

This NAADAC webinar focuses on the thousands of returning veterans who have been exposed to hostile war zones. The exposure impacts them emotionally, physically and behaviorally, therefore making it tough for them to adjust to civilian life and to cope effectively. Addiction and combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often go hand-in-hand, with estimates that 35-75% of veterans with PTSD abuse drugs and alcohol. Three symptoms sets of re-experiencing, numbing and avoidance, and hyper-vigilance, characterize the disorder and make it difficult for the individual to adjust back to civilian life. Understanding the major issues faced by veterans is important for providing addiction and mental health services.

The webinar is free to watch.

Watch Webinar

In Other SMART News

Podcast

Mechanisms of Action in Recovery

Dr. Sarah Zemore is a Senior Scientist at the Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, and the Principal Investigator of the Peer Alternatives for Addiction 2 (PAL2) Study . This is the second phase in the study which focuses on the benefits of mutual help groups in recovery.

In this podcast, Sarah talks about the power researchers have to shape services and make an impact, How the new PAL2 study will provide a deeper understanding the benefits of mutual help groups, and much more.

Listen Now

Volunteers Needed

PAL2 Study

SMART Recovery is participating in a large research study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to collect data on a range of mutual-help alternatives for addiction, including SMART Recovery. The study, called the Peer Alternatives for Addiction 2 (PAL2) Study, builds on a prior study by the same team (PAL1) and involves study of diverse mutual-help group options—including SMART Recovery.

The study design involves online surveys with 800 people, including 200 from SMART Recovery. To obtain as many participants as possible, we encourage you to participate.

Study participants:

Will receive Amazon gift cards totaling up to $115
U.S. residents only
Must be 18+
Have attended (or led) a meeting in the past 30 days
Individuals surveyed for PAL1 may not participate in PAL2

Join the Study

Life Beyond Addiction

Bonita Fraley

Hear Bonita's amazing story of resilience and courage to succeed at recovery, and how she is providing support through the SMART Recovery meetings that she facilitates for people in Lima, Ohio.

Watch Now

New in the SMART Bookshop

Tips & Tools DVD

We're excited to share that the Tips & Tools DVD is now available in the SMART Recovery Bookshop!

This DVD is full of all the Tips & Tools episodes in one collection. Perfect for anyone who has slow broadband speed, doesn’t use YouTube, or prefers to watch videos on the big screen. A handy resource for face-to-face meeting facilitators or as a gift to a friend or loved one. It includes the ABC, HOV, DISARM Tools, as well as dozens of Handbook exercises on video that can help at any stage of recovery.

Order Today

Facilitator Spotlight

Jeff Paster

SMART Recovery has given Jeff Paster the opportunity to transform what had become a seriously dangerous and unhealthful life into more of what he wanted for himself. Facilitation provides him with tremendous reinforcement of the power of the program, the meetings, the tools, and allows him the opportunity to provide service by giving back some of what he has learned and experienced to others who may be still struggling.

Watch Now

National Conference

Presentations Recap

If you were not able to attend the SMART Recovery National Conference last month, now you can watch the keynote speakers' presentations.

Watch Presentations

SMART Happenings

Support SMART Recovery

#GivingTuesday

Please remember to celebrate the season of giving by making a tax-deductible contribution to SMART Recovery. We would love and appreciate your support!

Support SMART Through Facebook

2021 Year-in-Review Community Townhall

Mark Your Calendar

Join us on Wednesday, December 8^th, at 1:00 p.m. ET for the 2021 Year-in-Review Community Townhall.

Board President Bill Greer and Executive Director Mark Ruth will lead the discussion, sharing information on everything SMART Recovery has accomplished in 2021 and a look ahead to 2022.

The Zoom event is free with registration. The Zoom link will be emailed to you a few days before the event. We hope to see you there!

Registration closes on Monday, December 6^th, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

New Year's Eve Around the World

Save the Date

Saturday, December 31, 2021

Save the date for this day-long online meeting that will be broken into one-hour time slots as each time zone enters 2022.

Special guests include: Dr. Joe Gerstein, Dr. Tom Horvath, Mike Hooper, Ted Perkins, plus many more!

More details coming soon!

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Get Inside the Solution

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For a recurring contribution, you’ll receive a special Insiders+ welcome package and be among the first to receive important news and engagement opportunities from SMART Recovery.

Join Today!

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