9th October 2019

The 12-Step Model and Smart Recovery: Choosing Your Fellowship

For those dealing with addiction, recovery is a fundamental concept that you must explore, define for yourself, and strive towards for the rest of your life. One incredibly important tool for those attempting to conquer their addictions is peer support. Research has proven that “peer support groups included in addiction treatment show much promise in potentially reducing substance use, improving engagement, reducing HIV/HCV risk behaviors, and improving substance-related outcomes.”

We’re sure you’re familiar with the concept of 12-step groups. Along with other peer-support networks, they allow addicts to share their struggles, triumphs, and hard-won insights into the affliction they’re struggling with. It’s undeniable that the fellowship and community they create have saved countless lives. But alternatives to the 12-step model have been steadily gaining in popularity, and today we’ll take a stab at outlining the differences between SMART Recovery, one of the most proven alternatives, and the traditional 12-step model.

SMART Recovery and The 12 Steps: Divergent Philosophies

The basis for the 12 steps is spiritual, but not tied to any particular religion. As the Hazelden Betty Ford Clinic notes, there are four main stages to the steps: admitting powerlessness, opening up to a source of power outside of oneself, taking inventory, and maintaining/strengthening spirituality. The definition of spirituality is interpreted very broadly, and the group’s popular slogan “take what works and leave the rest” can allow newcomers and skeptical members to benefit from the aspects of the program that help them, and ignore the elements that they find unreasonable or forbidding.

SMART Recovery is based on a four-point program: enhance and maintain motivation to abstain, cope with urges, manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and balance momentary and enduring satisfactions. Its basis is built on scientific, rather than spiritual, foundations, utilizing the principles of Dr. Albert Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Dr. Ellis is widely considered one of the originators of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and one of the most influential psychologists in history.

Perhaps the most fundamental difference between the two approaches is where the locus of control is placed. 12-Step programs emphasize the powerlessness of the individual in the face of addiction and call on those in recovery to find strength and motivation from an external, spiritual power. SMART Recovery, on the other hand, emphasizes internal control and encourages the individual to take control of their own thoughts and behaviors by turning negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. Also, while the 12-Step model is believed by its adherents to be universally applicable to all addicts, SMART Recovery allows much more flexibility, encouraging participants to create their own approach, one that suits their psychological profile, gender, age, emotional needs and duration and severity of their addiction.

The 12-Step Model and SMART Recovery: Differences in Practice

While AA and NA use the 12 Steps as a guide to one’s progression through the stages of recovery, SMART Recovery identifies six stages of change: pre-contemplation (subconsciously thinking of recovery), contemplation, determination/preparation, action, maintenance, and graduation. Graduation is a major difference between the two programs. SMART Recovery views addiction as a physical behavior, which ends when the addict stops using the substance they’re dependent on. Individuals can progress from “in recovery” to “recovered,” in contrast to the 12 Steps, where participants are encouraged to view themselves as alcoholics or addicts for the rest of their lives. Advocates of SMART Recovery feel that 12 Step programs perpetuate the stigma of addiction with the negative implication that addicts can never break free, while those in AA/NA would counter with stories of addicts who relapse after years or decades of sober living (people who had “too many years and not enough days”).

Another massive difference in practice is the idea of “cross-talk.” 12-step meetings are based on the idea of “sharing.” A participant will address the group with stories, struggles, or advice, but when sharing you aren’t allowed to discuss what another participant shared. In SMART Recovery meetings, cross-talk is allowed and even encouraged. Because many of the meetings are facilitated by professional therapists or counselors (unlike AA/NA meetings which are always facilitated by peers) there is often a qualified professional to keep things focused and productive.

One major advantage of 12-Step programs is the sponsor system. A sponsor is an experienced group member who develops a close relationship with a newcomer and guides them through the steps, embodying the 12th step of recovery: “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” A sponsor should ideally take your phone calls when you need support, give advice on the difficult aspects of recovery, and develop an older sibling type of relationship with you. They can be life-savers as you grapple with the challenges of sober living, and are, in our opinion, one of the most valuable tools available to those in recovery.

A major advantage of SMART Recovery is its willingness to evolve as science improves our understanding of addiction. It’s currently based on 3 current scientific methodologies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. 12-step programs, on the other hand, are based on a text that debuted in 1939 and has remained virtually unchanged since then. One can safely assume that SMART Recovery is, therefore, better equipped to take advantage of neurological, pharmacological, and psychological research that will help us determine best practices for treating addiction, both now and in the future.

The 12-Step Model and Smart Recovery: Making Your Choice

Every brain is different, every addiction is different, and every recovery will be different. At Iboga Tree Healing House we would recommend that those in recovery explore every option that may help them build a healthy, balanced, sober life. We are proud of our weekly online meet-ups for individuals who have recovered with the help of Iboga, but we would recommend that you supplement them with an in-person gathering at least once a week as you move towards healing. See which meeting near you meets your needs, and find the people who can give you the support and friendship that will be a crucial support in your recovery. We bow before the wisdom of the precept “take what works and leave the rest.”