SMART Recovery is the leading international self-empowering addiction recovery support group.
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SMART Recovery® (Self Management And Recovery Training) helps individuals gain independence from addiction (substances or activities). Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves. For more information about our program you can go to our national website at www.smartrecovery.org
04/10/2026
Our one and only Kristi! We are so grateful for all your hard work for SMART Recovery San Diego. Congratulations on this well deserved honor!
Besides great networking and plenty of educational workshops at today's conference, there was also an awards luncheon sponsored by our friends at Pathminder LLC. Pictured below is Kristi Porter (right) with Pete Rubinas. She is the winner of the Joseph Gerstein Award for Exceptional Service to SMART Recovery. Kristi is the Volunteer Support Coordinator for San Diego and the Co-Chair of the Volunteer Support Committee. Congratuations Kristi!
03/31/2026
No fooling! There's a lot of fun happening in April. Check it out!
03/20/2026
SMART Recovery San Diego Newsletter
The latest edition of the SMART San Diego newsletter is up on our website and in the mailboxes of subscribers.
Thanks to our volunteers for hosting these events!
Puppy Palooza every other Saturday at Noon at Fiesta Island Dog Park. You can either stay in the play area or take a 1-2 mile Nature Walk with the walking group. No dog required!
Open Mic Night on second Saturdays at 6:30 at the Mental Health Center of San Diego in Pacific Beach
To sign up for these and other social activities, visit The Phoenix website or download the NewForm app and join The Phoenix community. The app and all Phoenix events are free.
02/18/2026
PUPPY PALOOZA!! 🐶 🦮🐩🐕🦺
Join us for some fun this Saturday! With or without a pup, join us to make new friends and enjoy another beautiful day in paradise.
Puppy Palooza is this Saturday 2/21/26 at 12 pm at Fiesta Island. People can sign into Thephoenix.org to get a map and more information. It is free to join and you dont have to be a member to attend. Information is also available on our SMARTRECOVERYSD.ORG website
01/14/2026
I’m so excited to share a special invitation with you and your community. We are hosting our 4th Annual Sober Super Bowl Party, and this year it is being generously hosted by our amazing partners at San Diego Transformation Center in Mira Mesa.
This is always one of our most joyful, connection-filled events of the year. We will have food, drinks, community, and the big game on in a safe, supportive, substance free space. We would love your help spreading the word so we can make this our biggest gathering yet.
Please find the flyer attached, and here is the RSVP link to save your spot.
At The Phoenix, the only cost to participate is 48 hours of continuous sobriety. All are welcome, including those in recovery, sober curious, and allies who support a sober lifestyle.
We would love to see you there and celebrate together.
When: Saturday, February 8 at 3 pm
Where: San Diego Transformation Center
9909 Huennekens St.
What to bring: Your favorite dish to share
01/01/2026
Happy 2026!
SMART is an accessible, adaptable, and affirming recovery movement that offers free support group meetings, tons of resources, and a community of individuals making positive changes. If you are considering how to make your life more balanced and healthy in 2026, consider checking out a SMART meeting: https://meetings.smartrecovery.org
12/31/2025
Have a safe, sober New Years Eve and peaceful 2026!
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SMART Recovery® (Self Management And Recovery Training) helps individuals gain independence from addiction (substances or activities). Our efforts are based on scientific knowledge and evolve as scientific knowledge evolves. For more information about our program you can go to our national website at www.smartrecovery.org or our local website at www.smartrecoverysd.org.
SMART Recovery is a global community of 3000 mutual-support groups in which participants meet weekly to help each other overcome the life challenges caused by any addiction (to drugs, alcohol and behaviours such as gambling). Using SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training), they find the power within themselves to change and lead fulfilling and balanced lives guided by a science-based and sensible 4-Point Program®.The 4-Point Program® 1. Build and maintain motivation 2. Cope with urges and cravings3. Manage thoughts, feelings and behaviour4. Lead a balanced lifeThe Format
Free weekly group meetings (face-to-face and online)
Run by a trained facilitator
Focus on behaviour, not substance
Practical and evidence-based recovery tools
The Outcome
Recovery journey defined by you
Healthy, happy and meaningful life
Deeper relationships with yourself, family and friends
About SMART Recovery InternationalAs addiction grew into a global epidemic, SMART Recovery has expanded into 23 countries offering meetings and a program to help the individuals seeking to recover and families with loved ones needing support. SMART Recovery International was formed in 2018 to:
Create and implement a strategy to grow SMART worldwide.
Ensure the integrity of the SMART program as it expands into numerous countries.
Provide worldwide oversight and support to SMART operations in all member countries.
Oversee the development and integrity of training for meeting facilitators worldwide.
Establish a global IT infrastructure and digital social media presence.
Coordinate research into SMART by providing a forum for addiction scientists and treatment professionals to collaborate, learn how it works and improve this recovery support model based on new research and innovations in treatment.
Align the branding, marketing and fundraising to support SMART Recovery globally.
Our MissionTo make SMART Recovery available to people of every culture and place in life who want freedom from addiction using the power within themselves and support from a caring global community. To ensure that the SMART program always combines the best science and experience of recovery through training, instruction and technology, wherever we hold meetings, be they online, in cities, villages or rural communities.Our VisionAn addiction-free world where people strive together to lead the best life for themselves, their families and their communities.Our Values
Empowerment: Everyone has the power of choice and can choose to change unhelpful or harmful behaviours.
Acceptance: People are not their behaviours so stigmatising language like ‘addict’ and ‘alcoholic’ is not used.
Accessibility: People seeking recovery are empowered to choose what works best for them from a ‘tool box’ of methods demonstrated in meetings and also available on line and in manuals.
Openness: People are free to engage with other services or groups, there is no one path to recovery.
Liberation: People are free to move on and pursue other goals in life once a balanced lifestyle is achieved.
