SMART Recovery is a scientifically based program designed to help individuals abstain from abuse of substances and other compulsive and addictive behaviors such as gambling, sex, eating, shopping, and self-harm. SMART Recovery is based on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET). SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training.

SMART Recovery is organized around a 4-Point Program that provides participants with a variety of ways of managing their addictive behaviors in order to achieve recovery. These four points are:

> Building and Maintaining Motivation
> Coping with Urges
> Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
> Living a Balanced Life

SMART Recovery Key Features

> There is no “higher power,” religious, or spiritual component. Spiritual beliefs are neither encouraged nor discouraged; it is up to the individual to decide what is helpful to his or her personal recovery.
> Participants are not considered powerless; instead, SMART Recovery emphasizes increasing self-reliance. Participants are given many tools and techniques to empower themselves in their recovery.
> Meetings are not leaderless, they are structured and run by trained volunteers.
> Interaction among members during a meeting, or “cross-talk,” is encouraged. Members are encouraged to talk with one another, rather than to one another.
> Participants are encouraged to attend for months or years, but not necessarily a lifetime.
> There are no steps and no sponsors.
> Members are supported in taking psychiatric medications prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about addictive medications, if they feel that this is helpful.
> Members are supported in seeking psychotherapy from licensed professionals while attending meetings if they feel that this is helpful.
> While SMART is an abstinence-based program, participants are not required to be sober in order to attend meetings. Participants are welcomed at any of the 5 stages of change.
> Some participants like to attend SMART meetings and 12 Step meetings or other recovery programs such as LifeRing or Women or Men for Sobriety at the same time. Some participants try   SMART and then leave to try other recovery programs. SMART is not effective for everyone. Individuals who do not respond to SMART are encouraged to explore other recovery programs.       What is most important is for the individual to find their own path to recovery.

SMART Recovery Recognition

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
US Department of Health and Human Services
The President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
The American Academy of Family Physicians
The Center for Health Care Evaluation
The Bureau of Prisons
The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP)

SMART Recovery meetings are held in many areas in the United States and in several foreign countries. In addition, there are online meetings. There are treatment programs that are based on the SMART Recovery model. To learn more about SMART Recovery and to find a meeting or treatment program, visit the SMART Recovery website at www.smartrecovery.org.

 

Marijuana is defined as the dried leaves and female flowers of the cannabis plant. Users seeking its potentially relaxing or euphoria-inducing properties most commonly smoke it in a pipe or roll it into a cigarette or “joint.” The mind-altering effects of marijuana are created by chemical compounds called cannabinoids, which act directly on receptors in the central nervous system. The most prevalent cannabinoid in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Although THC has relatively low toxicity (one is highly unlikely to die from overdose), its psychoactive effects and addictive properties can be profound. THC is also fat soluble, meaning that it will remain in the body well after the effects have worn off. Heavy marijuana users can test positive for THC up to three months after cessation of use.

The effects of marijuana are both physiological and psychological, and can vary from user to user. Some experience euphoria, relaxation, and an alteration of conscious perception that is pleasing. Other pleasurable effects reported include heightened sensuality, heightened libido, and the feeling of increased creativity and insight. Alternately, some people may experience negative effects such as anxiety and panic, paranoia, hallucinations, distorted perceptions of time, and even acute psychosis. It is not uncommon for marijuana use to induce panic attacks, and there is strong evidence to suggest that marijuana use can hasten the onset of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. Most marijuana use can result in increased heart rate, dry mouth, and reddening of the eyes.

Marijuana is highly addictive: it is a potent, mood-altering substance that acts quickly when ingested. 49% of the U.S. population have used marijuana. Of that population, 9% become dependent. Young people and individuals with mood disorders (anxiety, depressive, and bipolar spectrum disorders) are at particularly high risk for marijuana dependence. Those dependent on marijuana can suffer social and occupational impairment, as well as severe withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. Marijuana withdrawal commonly results in irritability, anger or aggression, anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, shakiness, stomach pain, and weight loss. The onset of these symptoms often sends the marijuana-dependent individual back to the drug for relief, making quitting very difficult. It is therefore essential that individuals withdrawing from marijuana seek professional help.

References:

Budney, Alan J., Moore, Brent A., et al. (2003). The time course and significance of cannabis withdrawal. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 112 (3), 393-402.
Budney, AJ., Roffman, R., Stephens, RS., Walker, D. (2007). Marijuana dependence and its treatment. Addiction science & clinical practice 4 (1), 4–16.
Large, M., Sharma, Swapnil., Compton, Michael T., Slade, Tim., Nielssen, Olav. (2011). Cannabis use and earlier onset of psychosis”. Archives of General Psychiatry 68 (6), 555–61.