Home » Expert Q & A » Alcoholism » Alcoholism: Anna Deeds

SMART Recovery Vs. AA

  • anonymous Asks ...
    anonymous

    Do you think SMART recovery is an effective alcoholism recovery system? Do you think that online meetings work as well as fact to fact meetings (which would have to be AA for me in my community). I do not like the system of AA but do you think I should combine going to AA for the face to face stuff and the friendships and doing the SMART recovery thing online? I’d almost be scared if I got ‘found out’ at AA….

  • Anna Deeds Says ...
    Anna Deeds

    There are no right and wrong ways to build a recovery program. What works for one addict, doesn't always work for another. I don't see any reason why you can't use both SMART recovery and AA meetings. You don't have to hide it from your support in AA either. Keeping secrets can make us feel guilty which can in turn lead to relapse. This is why people say, "secrets keep us sick." We are supposed to do more than one thing for our recovery. If you rely on only one thing and it stops working for you or you stop working it, then you could relapse. You could simply tell your friends that online recovery is just one of the many things you do for your recovery. For this same reason, I think online meetings can be very helpful but it might be better to have some face to face meetings as a part of your program too. Your face to face support might be able to pick up on any signs of relapse before someone online might notice. It's just easier to hide things when you are communicating online. If you go to the SMART recovery website, you'll find that there are face to face meetings in some of the larger cities. Plus, you can start your own meeting if there isn't one in your area.

    Just remember that the more you do for your recovery, the more you will get out of it. I hope this helps answer your question and good luck with your recovery!

     

Featured Experts