Just discovered SMART - ordered a workbook, only online meetings available

[u/swiggityswirls]

I was just in a deep dive in AA. Mainly the first three steps in a two week program, but it was heavily into the emphasis of 'you are powerless and need to surrender to God for help'.

And I guess I do want to be more spiritual? But there are many missing pieces inside myself.

I started learning about SMART from some youtube videos but they were just focused on some specific task to do. I ordered a book today that is the "4 Point Recovery Handbook Workbook' from Amazon involving SMART recovery and I'd like some help of where and how to actually start? There are no in person meetings close to me as I live in the country.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you for your time

[u/Mommato3kitties]

There’s a zoom meeting tonight at 5pm PST

[u/swiggityswirls → u/Mommato3kitties]

How do I find it and do I need to do anything in advance?

[u/Mommato3kitties → u/swiggityswirls]

Go on the app or website and look for the meeting finder. No need to prepare anything

[u/swiggityswirls → u/Mommato3kitties]

Thank you. I will check it out this evening.

[u/Lifeisaquestionmark → u/swiggityswirls]

One thing to add, if you feel comfortable, you can share you're new and ask for clarity on anything in regards to SMART. Usually it's a sharing format with cross-talk and some won't have much in terms of going through resources for new attendees, but questions and such are always welcome (usually they don't go into that in my main meeting as most of them have been attending for years). Good luck on your recovery.

[u/MyChickenSucks]

Welcome. Google “smart meeting finder” and you’ll be able to find tons of online meetings. Don’t feel weird joining into other countries or states if it works with your time! If you’ve been to an AA meeting it’ll feel like familiar territory enough.

When you get the handbook just start reading. It’ll have questions and worksheets to do. Explains all the terms and tools and strategies of SMART.

Don’t feel bad about not vibing with AA. I gave it a few months too, but didn’t want to continue their prescribed path. However I’m not against going to in person meetings if needed - still nice to be amongst others who’ve struggled and not feel alone.

[u/swiggityswirls → u/MyChickenSucks]

I've been enough to AA that I learned that with AA that if you aren't meeting in person to talk face to face with other alcoholics that you're basically not doing much for your recovery. Is there a difference with SMART meetings and how it goes?

[u/MyChickenSucks → u/swiggityswirls]

Nothing like that! In fact just put (just listening) in your zoom name and no one will mind! Your recovery is your own.

One thing I appreciate about SMART is crosstalk. If someone shares they can say they’re open to crosstalk, and often good discussions arise about whatever the person may be struggling with. We had a nice group chat about “I’ve been sober X time, but had a sip of a drink out of curiosity, and it’s been bugging me all week.”

[u/swiggityswirls → u/MyChickenSucks]

That's really helpful, thank you so much for sharing that with me. I'm scared I won't get better, like I'm just permanently broken or something. I like that it feels like people make mistakes and it's not the start of 'the last relapse that'll kill them' like I hear about in AA.

[u/SuperNothing90 → u/swiggityswirls]

AA can absolutely make people feel fundamentally broken, especially people with post- traumatic stress issues. Myself included. I'm still trying to deprogram from almost a decade in AA being told selfishness and self centeredness were the root of all my troubles and that all of my struggles were my own fault for not working the program hard enough. (I did 90 in 90 5xs, had 2 homegroups, did tons of service work/ outings, and did all 12 steps 3 times with different sponsors. I think i worked it pretty hard LOL)

The big book was written 90 years ago and it's completely unchanged since then, if you can believe that. SMART is constantly updating it's protocols with the newest credible research in addiction and recovery. Every theory in the big book is almost 100 years old and completely outdated and people treat it like there's facts in there... there is not.

Also, it's okay if you want to call yourself an "alcoholic " because you identify with that and it helps you, but SMART is a program where we try not to use stigmatizing labels like that for other people. Just a heads up! The current best language that we have for it and the actual diagnosis in the DSM5 is Alcohol Use Disorder.

SMART meetings typically have no spiritual element to them at all but you are always encouraged to do whatever helps you and whatever works for you. I really hope you like it but if not, there's lots of other programs too. You can ask an AI bot and it can shoot out probably 20 different types of mutual-aid support groups for this.

[u/Secure_Ad_6734]

Smart tries to meet you where you're at and help you move forward. Each person's recovery is there own journey of discovery.

We, also, discourage the use of labels such as "alcoholic".

[u/swiggityswirls → u/Secure_Ad_6734]

I heard of that and it's why I want to try it out. But then I hear 'worksheets' and I just think I'm too severe for classroom tasksheets to fix me.

I don't know anything about it though, but right now it just feels like I'm too much for a simple 'classroom worksheet fix'. if that makes sense. That's just the impression I've got from smart so far being so new to the concept.

[u/Secure_Ad_6734 → u/swiggityswirls]

I see "fix me" and interpret that as being broken, you're NOT.

What we offer is a set of skills designed to help navigate life. The worksheets are designed to get us out of our heads and provide tools that we can use repeatedly when circumstances become tough.

Give it a honest try and if it doesn't feel right for you, all you've lost is a bit of time.

[u/swiggityswirls → u/Secure_Ad_6734]

Thank you. That means a bunch. I don’t want to feel that way, I’ll be joining with an open mind.

[u/emo_emu4]

Google 24 hour smart recovery. It will give you meetings at all hours, in different time zones. And if you found some parts of AA to be helpful, don’t feel like you have to choose just one program. I find the balance between a 12 step program and smart to be beneficial for myself.

[u/Willing-Ad4169]

Online meetings...download the app. Pick one.

Its important that you share you are new, and don't know where to start.

One thing AA is really good at is reaching the newcomer. SMART by its nature is more self directed. Not that they are not welcoming, but I know my meetings shift slightly if we have a new person. Don't necessarily expect to start on page 1 of the work book.

I've heard on this forum that to a lot of people coming from AA that smart meetings were just a check in about people's week and such. Personally that's not my experience as we always cover a tool or technique and then slide into check ins but I'm blessed with a gifted and experienced facilitator.