SMART Recovery Online Meetings British Columbia Canada

09/26/2024

SMART Recovery has been evolving since the beginning and continues to evolve. Check out a blog post that explains how SMART Recovery is changing the way we think about addiction recovery.
Vancouver Coastal Health Fraser Health Northern Health Island Health

A member of the SMART community shares his journey from thinking about recovery as abstinence-only to adopting a harm reduction mindset.

02/06/2024

Check out a new video.

The Problem of Immediate GratificationA trigger leads to a thought or craving (To want a drink, some m**h, to gamble, to have s*x, to etc, which builds into ...

12/29/2023

New Year’s Eve SMART Recovery Event in British Columbia Canada

When: Dec 31, 2023 06:00 PM Vancouver

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://smartrecovery.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIod-qvpzwpHdb7JwmGZ6TzoOVoOwOFlaVf

After registering, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This is a New Year's Eve Special SMART Recovery Event Hosted by trained SMART Facilitators who are dedicated to supporting individuals who want to stay sober during New Year's Eve evening. You will receive a ZOOM link and a PASS CODE via email when you register. PS: PLEASE SAVE THE DATE ON YOUR CALA...

10/28/2023

SMART Recovery at Sunshine Coast Health Centre

SMART Recovery is a community of self-empowering addiction-related support meetings grounded in science-based research, and it's here at SCHC.

06/20/2023

The first international survey of SMART participants is underway! Visit https://uow.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_72jqpZLOvMPCEVo to learn more and take part in shaping the future of recovery.

05/27/2023

What an incredible walk this morning in I get do one my VACI

05/21/2023

Let’s Go

05/19/2023

with in

05/10/2023

The possibility of a life-changing process.

If you struggle to believe in yourself, don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a common issue that many people face. However, by implementing these Nine…

05/03/2023

OMG so . Focus on my health.

05/02/2023

By Stefan Neff, SMART Facilitator. My therapist shared a great tool with me called an Urge Jar which is a simple yet effective technique that can help you break bad habits or form new ones. It works by creating a physical or virtual jar to hold your urges or cravings…

04/18/2023

Albert Ellis, the founder of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), developed the concept of "musturbation" to describe the tendency of individuals to hold rigid and unrealistic demands or expectations for themselves and others. According to Ellis, this type of thinking can lead to emotional distress and negative outcomes.

The "musturbation" process involves identifying and challenging these irrational beliefs by examining the evidence for and against them. Ellis believed that individuals can learn to replace their rigid and unrealistic demands with more flexible and adaptive beliefs that are based on evidence and reason.

To begin the process of musturbation, individuals can start by identifying their beliefs about themselves, others, and the world around them. They can then ask themselves questions such as:

- What evidence do I have to support this belief?
- Is this belief based on fact or opinion?
- How does this belief affect my emotions and behaviour?
- What would be the worst-case scenario if this belief were not true?

By challenging their beliefs and examining the evidence, individuals can learn to replace their rigid and unrealistic demands with more flexible and adaptive beliefs that are based on evidence and reason. This can lead to decreased emotional distress and improved outcomes in many areas of life.

04/17/2023

While there are many different approaches to addiction recovery, one framework that has gained popularity in recent years is the SMART Recovery process. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, and it is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop the skills they need to overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety.

One of the key components of the SMART Recovery process is the Hierarchy of Values, a tool created by Dr. Joe Gerstein that helps individuals identify their most important values and use them as a guide for making decisions and choices in their lives. In this blog, we will explore the Hierarchy of Values and how it can help individuals create a sustainable path to addiction recovery.

What is the Hierarchy of Values?

The Hierarchy of Values is a tool that helps individuals identify their personal values and prioritize them in order of importance. It is based on the idea that our values are the foundation of our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, and that by understanding and prioritizing our values, we can make better decisions and choices in our lives.

The Hierarchy of Values consists of three levels:

1. Core Values: These are the values that are most important to us and define who we are as individuals. They are the guiding principles that we use to make decisions and choices in our lives.

2. Instrumental Values: These are the values that are important to us, but are not as fundamental as our core values. They are the means by which we achieve our core values.

3. Preferences: These are the values that we like, but are not essential to our well-being. They are the things that we enjoy or appreciate, but are not necessary for our happiness or fulfillment.

How does the Hierarchy of Values support addiction recovery?

The Hierarchy of Values is a valuable tool for individuals in addiction recovery because it helps them identify their core values and use them as a guide for making decisions and choices that support their recovery goals. By prioritizing their core values above all else, individuals in recovery can develop a sense of purpose and direction that helps them stay motivated and focused on their recovery journey.

For example, if an individual's core value is family, they might prioritize spending time with their loved ones over other activities that could potentially trigger their addiction. By focusing on their core value of family, they can make choices that support their recovery goals and strengthen their relationships with their loved ones.

Another example might be an individual whose core value is health. This person might prioritize exercise, healthy eating, and other self-care practices that support their physical and emotional well-being. By focusing on their core value of health, they can create a sustainable lifestyle that supports their recovery and helps them stay on track.

Conclusion

The Hierarchy of Values is a powerful tool that can help individuals in addiction recovery identify their core values and use them as a guide for making decisions and choices that support their recovery goals. By prioritizing their most important values above all else, individuals in recovery can develop a sense of purpose and direction that helps them stay motivated and focused on their recovery journey. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider exploring the SMART Recovery process and the Hierarchy of Values to support their recovery.

https://www.smartrecovery.org/hierarchy-of-values/

04/16/2023

Once upon a time, there was a woman named Sarah who struggled with alcohol addiction. She had tried to quit many times before, but always found herself falling back into old habits. One day, Sarah discovered SMART Recovery, a program that taught her how to set and achieve goals using a set of tools and principles.

At first, Sarah was skeptical. She had tried so many other programs before, and none of them had worked. But as she learned more about SMART Recovery, she realized that it was different. It wasn't just about abstaining from alcohol, but about creating a fulfilling and meaningful life without it.

Sarah started attending meetings and using the tools she had learned. She set goals for herself, such as finding a new job and reconnecting with old friends. She also used the tools to manage her cravings and cope with stress.

At first, Sarah felt motivated and inspired. She was excited to see the changes in her life and felt confident in her ability to maintain sobriety. But as time went on, Sarah started to feel complacent. She had achieved some of her goals, but others seemed out of reach. She started to feel discouraged and wondered if she would ever be able to fully break free from her addiction.

That's when Sarah realized how important it was to build and maintain motivation. She knew that if she didn't stay committed to her goals, she would be at risk of relapse. She started attending more meetings, reaching out to her support system, and using the tools consistently.

Over time, Sarah found that her motivation grew stronger. She achieved more of her goals and felt more confident in her ability to stay sober. She learned that building and maintaining motivation was not just important for achieving goals, but for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.

In the end, Sarah was grateful for the tools and principles she had learned through SMART Recovery. They had helped her to build a life she was proud of and to overcome the challenges of addiction. And she knew that as long as she stayed committed to her goals and continued to build and maintain motivation, she would be able to maintain her sobriety for the rest of her life.

Learn how you can make a difference in your life by visiting www.smartrecovery.org

04/14/2023

One approach that has gained popularity in recent years is the SMART Recovery program, which aims to help individuals develop the skills and strategies they need to overcome addiction and live a fulfilling life in recovery. One of the key tools used in SMART Recovery is called DISARM, which stands for Destructive Imagery and Self-talk Awareness and Refusal Method.

DISARM is a cognitive-behavioural technique that was developed specifically for SMART Recovery. The goal of DISARM is to help individuals recognize and challenge the negative self-talk and destructive imagery that often accompanies addictive behaviours. This negative self-talk can take many forms, such as thoughts like "I'll never be able to quit," "I'm not strong enough to resist my cravings," or "I'm a failure if I can't stay sober." These types of thoughts can be incredibly damaging to an individual's self-esteem and motivation, and can make it much harder for them to overcome addiction.

The DISARM technique involves several steps. The first step is to become aware of the negative self-talk and destructive imagery that you are experiencing. This can be done by paying close attention to your thoughts and feelings, and identifying when you are engaging in negative self-talk or imagining destructive scenarios related to your addiction.

The next step is to challenge these thoughts and images by asking yourself questions like, "Is this thought really true?" or "Is this image helpful or harmful to my recovery?" By challenging your negative self-talk and imagery, you can begin to change the way you think about your addiction and your ability to overcome it.

The final step is to replace the negative self-talk and imagery with positive, affirming thoughts and images. This can involve creating a mental image of yourself as a strong, capable individual who is able to overcome addiction and achieve your goals. It can also involve repeating positive affirmations to yourself, such as "I am strong," "I am capable," and "I am worthy of a happy, healthy life."

Overall, the DISARM technique is a powerful tool that can help individuals who are struggling with addiction to overcome the negative self-talk and destructive imagery that can make recovery so challenging. By becoming more aware of their thoughts and feelings, challenging negative self-talk and imagery, and replacing them with positive, affirming thoughts and images, individuals can build the self-esteem and motivation they need to succeed in their recovery journey. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider exploring the SMART Recovery program and the DISARM technique as potential tools for overcoming this challenging problem.

For examples of the SMART Recovery processes please visit www.smartrecovery.org

04/09/2023

Addiction is a complex and challenging issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Recovering from addiction is a difficult journey, and it requires a combination of support, motivation, and determination. One effective approach to addiction recovery is the SMART Recovery program, which emphasizes the importance of developing creative interests to help individuals endure the recovery process.
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The SMART Recovery program is a science-based, self-help program that focuses on empowering people to overcome addiction through personal growth and self-directed change. The program uses a combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals develop the skills and strategies they need to overcome addiction.
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One of the key elements of the SMART Recovery program is the concept of "Vital Absorbing Creative Interests" (VACI). VACI refers to engaging in activities that are absorbing, enjoyable, and meaningful, and that provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. These activities can range from hobbies and interests to volunteering, exercise, or social activities.
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Engaging in VACI activities can be a powerful tool for individuals in addiction recovery. These activities help individuals refocus their attention on positive, healthy pursuits, rather than on their addiction. By engaging in activities that are absorbing and enjoyable, individuals can reduce their cravings and increase their sense of well-being and self-esteem.
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Furthermore, VACI activities can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and direction, which is crucial for maintaining motivation and staying on track with their recovery goals. Engaging in activities that are meaningful and fulfilling can also help individuals develop new skills and interests, which can be valuable for building a new, sober lifestyle.
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The SMART Recovery program encourages individuals in addiction recovery to identify and pursue their VACI activities. This process begins with identifying activities that are enjoyable, absorbing, and meaningful. Individuals are encouraged to explore a range of activities and to be open to trying new things.
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Once individuals have identified their VACI activities, they are encouraged to incorporate them into their daily routine. This might involve setting aside time each day or week to engage in these activities, or it might involve integrating them into other aspects of their life, such as work or social activities.
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Overall, the SMART Recovery program's emphasis on VACI activities is a valuable tool for individuals in addiction recovery. By engaging in activities that are absorbing, enjoyable, and meaningful, individuals can reduce their cravings, increase their sense of well-being and self-esteem, and develop new skills and interests that can support their ongoing recovery.
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04/08/2023

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