SMART Recovery
Related topics: Mental health and substance use Substance use
Need help immediately?
If there is a life-threatening safety concern, please call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-784-2433
BC Crisis Line: 604-310-6789
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Indigenous Crisis and Support Line - KUU-US Crisis Support Line: 1-800-588-8717
Harm reduction: Toward the Heart
SMART Recovery is a four-point program to assist people to recover from all types of addiction and addictive behaviours.
SMART Recovery is the leading self-empowering addiction recovery support group. Our participants learn tools for addiction recovery based on the latest scientific research and participate in a world-wide community which provides free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups.
What to expect
The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program® helps people recover from all types of addiction and addictive behaviours, including: drug abuse, drug addiction, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, prescription drug abuse, sexual addiction, and problem addiction to other substances and activities.
The 4-Point Program® offers specific tools and techniques for each of the program points:
- building and maintaining motivation
- coping with urges
- managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- living a balanced life
SMART Resources
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SMART recovery meeting schedule
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SMART Recovery website
Find schedules of meetings outside of Vancouver.
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SMART toolbox
Explore the SMART Recovery participant toolkit to find worksheets with handy guides on how to use them.
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Family & friends suggested reading list
There is an alternate, non-confrontational, scientifically-validated approach to managing addiction recovery problems. This approach is outlined in the following list of books. These books teach family members and friends how to improve their own lives while at the same time providing skills for improving their relationship with their loved one.
- Get Your Loved One Sober: Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading, and Threatening and Beyond Addiction,
- How Science & Kindness Help People Change.
- Using Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT)
- CRAFT: An approach that gets people into treatment
SMART Recovery Meetings
SMART Recovery meetings
VCH hosts SMART Recovery meetings in community settings. SMART is a worldwide program and we offer daily meetings in Vancouver, Richmond and the North Shore with trained facilitators from the community. Based on the concepts of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we use an evidence-based practical approach for people to learn about their unhelpful behaviors and replace them with helpful ones.
Download the SMART recovery meeting schedule for Vancouver, Richmond and Sea to Sky
Women's only forum
The women’s only forum is for sensitive female-specific issues and concerns. We ask for the women's cooperation in using the open general forums for non-sensitive general recovery related discussions so that all of SROL may benefit. Information posted within the forum cannot be viewed by those without access.
Free workshop series
Are you interested in becoming a SMART Recovery Volunteer facilitator with Vancouver Coastal Health? The VCH: Communication & Group Facilitation Workshop Series is the first of several steps required to get involved. This free workshop covers basic group facilitation and communication skills for people interested in facilitating a SMART Recovery meeting. Those interested can e-mail Anna.Morrison@vch.ca for registration and details.
How to access
No referrals necessary, everyone is eligible.
Contact
For comments or feedback on SMART meetings, cancellations, materials or facilitators, contact Anna Morrison at 604-675-3980 extension 20258 or by email.