Recovery From the Inside Out: A Cognitive Approach to Rehabilitation

• NCJ Number: 196426
• Journal: Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 64 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 56-112
• Author(s): Jessica B. Konopa; Emil Chiauzzi; David Portnoy; Thomas M. Litwicki
• Date Published: August 2002
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For more information about SMART Recovery meetings, training, and publications, see website www.smartrecovery.org.

Annotation

This article describes the self-help SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) alcohol and drug treatment program that is being used as an alternative to 12-step programs that involve religious commitments by participants.

Abstract

Since various court decisions have ruled against requiring offenders to attend 12-step treatment programs that use religious concepts as a key part of treatment, the SMART program -- developed by Inflexxion, a behavioral health care technology company -- is in the forefront of alternatives to religiously based 12-step treatment programs. SMART is an abstinence-based, secular, nonprofit organization that offers a self-help program for people with substance abuse problems. SMART empowers substance abusers to commit to abstinence by teaching them to identify and counter negative thought patterns that contribute to their substance use. The programs differ from traditional 12-step regimens in relying primarily on a cognitive approach that helps offenders take control of their lives by targeting thought patterns in specific ways. The program's format consists of groups led by volunteer coordinators, who are trained to guide the group process and assist participants in recognizing irrational thought patterns. The cornerstone of SMART recovery is the 4-Point Program, which helps participants build personal skills in enhancing and maintaining motivation, coping with urges, problemsolving, and maintaining lifestyle balance. Although comparatively small in its application in the corrections field, SMART has been well-received and successful in community settings since 1994. Its implementation in correctional settings has been facilitated by teaming up with Inflexxion, which has had significant experience with producing training materials, as well as substance abuse treatment protocols. The result has been the creation of Inside-Out, the official SMART Recovery correctional program. This article also discusses gender-specific needs that can be met through SMART, as well as the link between criminal thinking and substance abuse that is addressed in the problemsolving module of the program. 2 references