I keep waking up at 5 am - not a problem but I have to sneak out to not wake the dogs (long story but the morning is gone if they sense I have abandoned them in their dog beds). I read a little fiction or something light in the am to start the day off. I will meditate .... maybe but I will not poison my body with ethanol today. Thats it. Oh got a part-time retail job to add to my freelance writing. The interview was hilarious. Lovely person at the helm of this store. Learning shit scares me, though. Even a register. Aaaaah anxiety.

Hello, I'm a newcomer. I want to find an online meeting, I really liked SMART program. I feel more safe in terms of anonymity joining an international meeting, than in my native language (I tried once and there was 2 people and it was really awkward)

I'm really confused by SMART search page though. Why would I need a postcode for online meeting? I'd love to just see meetings in English and maybe the ones that are the most popular, something like that. Can someone please help me with that?

It's Family and Friends Friday!

We often have difficult decisions to make as Family and Friends: whether to go to pick up our LO when they are in their behavior/drug of choice; whether to sit them down and confront them about their behavior; whether to give them money when they have run out of theirs; or whether to clean up their mess after they have been in their addictive behavior.

One way we can deal with these difficult decisions is by using the Cost Benefit Analysis.

Imagine that I am wondering whether to keep cleaning up my Loved One's mess. I first list all the reasons I can for why cleaning up is helpful (I like a clean house; other people in the family don't see the mess). Then I list all the reasons I can for why cleaning up is not helpful (I end up feeling resentful; Loved One doesn't see the natural consequences of their addictive behavior). Finally, I list the pros and then the cons of NOT cleaning up my LO's messes.

I can then decide if each of the reasons I have listed has a long-term or short-term influence on the situation. The Cost Benefit Analysis can be printed out and we can refer to it from time to time - to encourage us when we are wondering why we made a specific decision.

Would you like to share about a time when you used the Cost Benefit Analysis? Was it helpful for you?

Hi everyone. I have been dealing with a pretty severe alcohol problem and am seeking additional support in addition to treatment. I have tried a couple of AA meetings, but the religious/spiritual undertones and concept of “powerlessness” did not really resonate with me. I am also young and unsure if I want to live a sober lifestyle forever, so I fear that AA would be too rigid in structure for me. That said, I am curious to learn about SMART Recovery and any experiences you guys have had with it. To my understanding, SMART seems to have a more flexible approach and can be tailored to individual goals, which appeals to me. If you have tried SMART and are willing to share what you like (or don’t like), I would love to hear. Thank you!

When I open 'Morning check in', suddenly the latest post i see is 1j ago ('sam29s').

It seems i no longer have access to 'Morning check in'. I tried to post about this access issue on 'Morning check in' this morning, but the post seems to be lost. Maybe a moderater can let me know what went wrong? Thank you, kind regards, F64, The Netherlands

I’ve done the SMART Family & Friends for several months and once I found a moderator/host that I enjoyed, have loved it. I’ve done the SMART Family & Friends for several months and once I found a moderator/host that I enjoyed, have found it extremely helpful and loved it. My girlfriend is getting out of alcohol detox and looking for support groups besides AA.

I was curious if anyone has personal experience or even a website that gives a quick comparison of the major secular recovery programs? SMART Recovery, LifeRing, Women For Sobriety and SOS Sobriety.

Apparently, the results have caused some reactions in the recovery community.

For those in favor, you might want to drink to celebrate.

For those against, you might want to drown your sorrows or mute the anxiety.

In either case, we have a skill set to help maintain our abstinence - it's our ABC tool.

We look at the activating event, our particular beliefs around that event and what are the possible consequences of choosing to respond to those beliefs.

The goal here isn't to argue or pick sides but to keep healthy and sober.

We have the technology.

My nervous system is trashed. I feel like I am going to drink later on. It's complicated what this outcome will do to my life, but it's big. I don't want to drink. No one wins. I am so disappointed -- like I got dumped by a husband disappointed. Jesus. This will affect my livelihood.

Are there any kind of movies i could watch? I struggle right now to build motivation for quitting.

I was a bartender, after the Army, for many years. When mental health became a problem that I handle with alcohol abuse, I struggled to find help , many times because of the hours I worked. I’m wondering if this community thinks afternoon meetings are a good idea?

What a difference a day makes. Really wanted a six pack late afternoon yesterday but put some things in place and got to bed early because my body actually wanted sleep not alcohol. good grief. Onward.

Day 13 today. Did not sleep well, again. Not having been rested is a huge trigger for me, so I am in a bad mood. Yesterday I felt great. Winter is coming and I am sitting in front of a full-spectrum lamp this am to stave off the depression that hits me in winter. It does make it a little better, I think. It's too early to know what kind of day is ahead. Very glad to have you all here to lift me up each day. I had years of not drinking until I decided to drink my pain away after a knee replacement; there's months of bone ache after the narcotics they give you for the train wreck that is a TkA. Sadly, it worked and now I am here. I am NOT having another one done even though the ortho surgeon said it would be likely within the next three years for the other knee. On to some meditation. Hugs to all.

Hi everyone

I'm fairy new to this and wondered if you would give me your examples of DEADS so I can make my own.

I’m wondering if there’s a groupchat or whatsapp of Smart Recovery folks? I also am having a hard time finding a meeting during later hours (it’s 11pm where I am) and there are seriously NONE happening. I’m used to late night or even 24/hr nonstop AA zoom meetings. I need to get plugged in with Smart Recovery. I’m going to do more research and save links to meetings happening across the globe at more convenient times for me. My handbook arrives tomorrow.

I was sober for 9 months and a couple weeks but I drank 3 days ago. I’m interested in SMART. I think AA creates a lot of shame that I can’t handle.

What tools do people use for really intense cravings? Like the ones that are so intense and so close to you using again?

Today is day 13 for me. For that I am glad. But I feel sort of "meh" is this all there is? Classic. I Went to a free yoga class yesterday even though I can't kneel (knee replacement still new) I managed to get through the entire hour; it felt great, so yoga is back in ...... finally. It's been a good year. Yoga does me good for head and body. Also, I have a Google doc I read when I wake up each day that says:

I am grateful for this new day

I am at peace with myself

I treat my body and mind with respect

I embrace impermanence 

I cultivate compassion for myself and others

Beer is out of the question

I'm 42 days clean after getting high on Just about anything for 28 years. This includes a 24 year stint in prison. Yeah, 24 years straight. During that time I never really thought I would get out or what I would do if I did. I saw my first parole board in 2023 (my sentence was 24 years to life, meaning I had to do 24 years minimum and would see the parole board every two years after). You never really heard of guys with crimes like mine (2nd degree murder) getting out on their first parole board, but unbelievably they let me go!! But instead of getting out and enjoying the freedom I wanted so badly I went right back to smoking crack. 3 days after my release I overdosed and died for 8 minutes. And I still wasn't ready to stop. kept smoking crack, switched to meth. About two months ago something happened that finally made me give up my stupidity. That part I can't /won't talk about on here. I cannot describe how much better I feel both mentally and physically. But with this new found happiness comes the reality of how much I took advantage of the help I was getting, of all the people I hustled or used over the years to support my addiction. This is hard, I won't lie to you. I've cried more in the last two months than I ever did as a baby, I'm sure. But this is a big part of the recovery process, an important one. You do the best you can to apologize to those who will listen, but be prepared because some will not want to hear it. The worst for me is Feeling like someone does not believe me. I'm told I shouldn't worry about what people think, but I can't help it. I want those people who spent their time trying to help me to know that their time was not wasted. I want them to know how much I appreciate them and how sorry I am. And my actions from here on out will reflect those of a man who has finally decided to LIVE instead of just existing. Thank you to whoever reads this, and if you are struggling with addiction or are just curious feel free to write. I'm here to help if I can. Thanks, Wayne😁

Ok so day 10 and not much sleep last night. I hate those days when nothing is really wrong but you just don't have much zest or life seems "meh". But nothing is worse than the physical and mental depression from drinking. I was up most of the night from an 18-year-old terrier coughing from heart failure. She's on four meds and is fine in the day and always hungry. I need to up her medication. I got her at 14; Happy is 15 and the youngest pup us 12, so I think, my subconscious is prepping for a season of sadness. ugh

Hi all,

I sobered up in AA, but I also enjoyed learning more about SMART and attending some meetings. Many newcomers (especially in https://www.reddit.com/r/alcoholicsanonymous/) ask, in effect, "Do I need to stop yet?"

I usually recommend AA's self-analysis link along with a link to the Cost/Benefit Analysis, but the truth is, I've only used the latter tool on "already-sober-life-problems," so I'd be really interested to learn if any of you used it to help you get ready to sober up.

Thanks!

Hi all, just a quick question if that’s okay. Would it be okay to log in to an online meeting about 15-20 minutes late? I’m hoping to attend my first one, but because of other commitments I would miss the start. I don’t want to be disruptive or disrespectful of the facilitator or group. Plus, I’m quite nervous as it is so don’t really want to draw attention to myself either. Would it be a case of just ‘slipping in at back’, so to speak, or would it be awkward? It’s online but not labeled as ‘national’, so I don’t think there’s oodles of people.

Woke up feeling rested and good. It's now a week, and though that week was ROUGH, my plan is to stick close to the SMART principles and post every day. I am immensely grateful for this site.

We had a seriously successful conference in Lisbon Portugal! We even were able to debut our new branch of SMART- SMART Recovery Global! We are dedicated to outreach, training and support to all non- affiliated and emerging affiliated nations around the world! For more details, check out our home page at smartrecoveryglobal.org

On Tool Tuesdays, we take the opportunity to learn new tools from the Handbook together (or refresh our memory). Today we are focusing on the DEADS tool (Delay, Escape, Avoid/Attack/Accept, Distract, Substitute).

Although it can be difficult at first, distracting yourself is one of the best ways to get through an urge. When you're actively doing something, you're thinking about that and not the urge. The more you refuse to give in to urges, the less frequently they occur, and the more quickly they pass.

What distractions are (or may be) helpful to you? Here is a list of distracting activities to jog your memory.

Hello all! I’m excited to find SMART. I stopped drinking July 26 after a bleeding ulcer put me in the hospital. I have had about a week since going sober of not being sober - a few drinks on a few days. United myself and the guilt from ruining my streak. Wasn’t worth it. Anyhow, that was a few weeks ago. I think SMART can help me stay sober. My question is - is it best to go through the book front-to-back in order? Or can I jump around?

Hi. I'm going to my 1st SMART meeting tonight. It's in person. I don't know what to expect. I have anxiety because what if I'm the only one there?

Do I have to tell my story right away?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Back from the SMART Conference in Portugal and we made the world SHAKE! Tuesday Lunch Break Meetings are back on, every TUESDAY 1PM EDT. Work nights? Got time during the day? Come check us out and check in! Link for meeting details is below-

https://www.smartrecoveryinternational.org/meetings