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SEQUENCE:18619802
CREATED:20090307T092000Z
DESCRIPTION:To recover from addiction, you need to learn how to:\n\n-enhance and 
 maintain motivation to abstain\n-cope with urges\n-manage thoughts, 
 feelings and behavior\n-balance momentary and enduring satisfactions\n\nWe 
 assume that addictive behavior can arise from both substance use (e.g., 
 psychoactive substances of all kinds, including alcohol, nicotine, 
 caffeine, food, illicit drugs, and prescribed medications), and involvement 
 in activities (e.g., gambling, sexual behavior, eating, spending, 
 relationships, exercise, etc.). We assume that there are degrees of 
 addictive behavior, and that all addictive behavior (which can involve 
 several substances or activities) become so great that change becomes 
 highly desirable.\n\nGaining independence from addictive behavior can 
 involve changes that affect an individual's entire life, not just changes 
 directly related to the addictive behavior itself. Consequently there 
 appear to be as many roads to gaining independence from addictive behavior 
 as there are individuals.\n\nIndividuals who have been successful in 
 gaining independence from addictive behavior appear to have made changes in 
 all four areas we teach about. Although we teach important information in 
 each of these areas, ultimately it is the individual's determination and 
 persistence to keep moving forward that will determine how much success is 
 achieved.\n\nOur free services are provided for those who desire, or think 
 they may desire, to achieve abstinence. Individuals unsure about whether to 
 pursue abstinence may observe in our group discussions how abstinence can 
 be achieved, and how it can help. Even those whose ultimate goal is 
 moderated involvement with their substances or activities may benefit from 
 participation in abstinence-oriented discussions. Benefit could occur if 
 the individual aims to engage in selected periods of abstinence, or frames 
 the goal as abstaining from over-involvement (as opposed to all 
 involvement).\n\nMuch of the information imparted by us is drawn from the 
 field of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and particularly from Rational 
 Emotive Behavior Therapy, as developed by Albert Ellis, Ph.D. In general, 
 CBT views addictive behavior more as a complex maladaptive behavior than as 
 a disease. Use of the CBT perspective allows us to use a rich and easily 
 accessible body of ideas, techniques, and publications. Most of these 
 publications we are able to make available directly to our participants for 
 free online.\n\nWhat we offer is consistent with the most effective methods 
 yet discovered for resolving emotional and behavioral problems. As 
 scientific knowledge advances, our teachings will be modified accordingly. 
 Individuals with religious beliefs are likely to find our program as 
 compatible with their beliefs as other scientifically derived knowledge and 
 applications.\n\nThe lengths of time an individual will derive help from 
 our services is variable. For many sincere participants there will come a 
 time when attending our groups or participating in our online services is 
 more in conflict with the pursuit of their life goals than enhancing them. 
 Although these participants will always be welcome back if they want to 
 come, this conflict signals that the time for graduation has 
 arrived.\n\nOne of the most enduring satisfactions in life is helping 
 others. The individuals who have nurtured SMART Recovery thus far have 
 reported intense satisfaction at witnessing the positive changes our 
 participants have experienced, and at witnessing the influence we are 
 having on professional addictive behavior treatment. We offer to others, 
 whether graduates of our efforts or not, the opportunity to join us in 
 experiencing that satisfaction.\n\nYou don't need a higher power to get 
 sober.\n\nYou don't need a sponsor.\n\nYou are not powerless.\n\nYou do not 
 need to go to meetings for the rest of your life.\n\nSMART is 
 evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy and evolves as science 
 evolves. Free face to face meetings around the bay and daily anonymous 
 online meetings that are acceptable by the court. Everything you need is 
 online, including a supportive 24/7 chat room full of friendly, funny 
 helpful people with a wide range of addictions and other maladaptive 
 behaviors.\n\nhttp://www.ffrf.org/radio/ \n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/07/18575432.php
SUMMARY:You Can Recover Without using a 12-Step Program
LOCATION:Free Thought Radio will have 18 solid minutes on SMART Recovery this 
 Sunday, March 8th at 3 PM EST on the Air America Network. A podcast will be 
 available on Monday, March 9th on iTunes, or at Free Thought Radio. 
 http://www.ffrf.org/radio/
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/03/07/18575432.php
DTSTART:20090308T190000Z
DTEND:20090308T200000Z
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