SMART Takes

- Tweet0
- 0
- Pin It 0
- 0
- Subscribe to RSS
Subscribe

Subject: SMART Takes

Family & Friends, Research News, and Recovery Journaling

Welcome to SMART TAKES, our new look monthly newsletter! We changed the name, cleaned up the format, and made a commitment to offering research news in every issue. Feedback welcome. Enjoy!

Podcast
That Knowing Smile

Rebekah Robertson is a SMART facilitator in Columbia Missouri who found the program after a family member entered treatment for an addictive behavior. At first she thought she was different and people wouldn't understand all the circumstances that surrounded her. Then Rebekah experienced "that knowing smile" of others who had gone through similar situations and were able to navigate them in a positive way.

In this podcast, Rebekah shares some of the powerful moments she has experienced as both a participant in SMART Family and Friends meetings and as a facilitator, and why the program is valuable for so many.

Listen Now

INQUIRING MINDS...
Can new weight loss drugs like Ozempic also reduce alcohol and other drug use?

This article from The Recovery Research Institute reports on a study of prescription weight loss medications and what effect they may have on alcohol and other drug use in at-risk patients. Although the findings are correlational, the conclusion is that the data is compelling and suggests a need for future randomized trials.

Read Article

Outreach Dispatch
Charlotte's Community of Empowerment is Growing!

Building Communities of Empowerment is more than a grand idea--it's an action that's taking place across the country! With next month's SMART conference fast approaching, here's a dispatch from Jasmine Hilbert, National Outreach Director, about what is happening in Charlotte NC.

Exciting things are happening in Charlotte as we continue to build a Community of Empowerment. With the momentum ramping up for next month’s conference, we are celebrating our progress, creating new connections, and expanding the reach of SMART in our area...

Research Participation Opportunity!

From the study coordinator Albert Tran:

The purpose of our study is to explore various factors related to people’s experiences in substance use recovery and SMART Recovery. Our goal is to increase knowledge that will inform the treatment and recovery efforts of mental health clinicians and their clients, policy makers, current and future SMART Recovery participants, and the family and friends of those impacted by addiction.

Link to Survey

Blog
A "Non-Writer's" Guide to Journaling in Recovery

[Guest Blog by SMART Facilitator Rick Kuplinski]

I have a ritual I’ve repeated on every anniversary of my decision to confront my addictive behavior once and for all. I dust off and re-read the journal I kept for about 100 days as I entered treatment and used SMART Recovery as my preference in peer support.

Every time I do, I remember how important that journal was in the earliest days of recovery. It helped me settle my mind, collect my thoughts, and reflect on the most impactful things I was learning. I also started taking notice of the positive changes I was beginning to experience in mind, body, and spirit. Consistent with SMART’s emphasis on “Self-Management,” journaling was perhaps the most important thing I did to reinforce that I am primarily responsible and accountable for making positive changes in my life...

Hurry! Conference Registration Rates Increase after March 15...

SMART Recovery USA’s National Conference will be held April 3-4, 2025 at the Hilton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte, NC.

Registration and Agenda Information

This year's theme is Building Communities of Empowerment. Building on last year's conference, we intend to highlight how SMART can be at the forefront of building communities of empowerment at the local level. We have an unprecedented opportunity to make the promise of multiple pathways a reality today in more and more diverse communities.

We are thrilled to present a broad range of keynote speakers!

¡SMART Recovery está ahora en español!

SMART Recovery es un programa gratuito de grupos de ayuda mutua para aquellas personas que quieren abstenerse de cualquier comportamiento adictivo, ya sea sustancia o actividad.

Tú estás en control de tu recuperación. Con SMART Recovery, las personas encuentran el poder dentro de sí mismas para cambiar y llevar una vida sana, plena y llena de satisfacciones.

Visita nuestra página web www.smartrecovery.org.es para los horarios, herramientas, y más recursos.

Explora Más

NEW SMART MERCH!

SMART Recovery Apparel & Merchandise

Don’t forget that we've launched a line of apparel and merchandise in our shop

that is available to order anytime you'd like! Show your SMART spirit with shirts, hats, coffee mugs, backpacks, laptop sleeves, and more!

Shop Now

Shop Now

Support SMART Recovery

Help us help others by providing a gift today.

Your tax-deductible contribution to SMART supports our self-empowering, science-based, stigma-free approach to recovery. Together we can transform recovery - one unique individual at a time.

Donate to SMART

SMART Recovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Stay Connected

Subscribe

Subject: SMART Takes