The first Monday of April 2018 saw the start of a brand new program hosted at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church on Milligan’s Campus–SMART Recovery. SMART, or Self-Management and Recovery Training, is a program that has been around for nearly 25 years and is a scientific, evidence-based approach to recovery from various addictions.
The SMART meeting occurs every Monday, except for the last Monday of the month, at the bottom level of Hopwood Church from 7-8 p.m.
According to group facilitator and Milligan alumni Emily Hand, “It is a self-empowerment program where a person can learn tools to help cope with urges; be able to increase or maintain motivation; help manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; and help in lifestyle balance.”
The program is based around the idea of rational emotive behavioral therapy, which posits that a person’s thoughts and beliefs will implement feelings and then influence behavior.
“So if you have a belief, like, ‘I am a person who never gets a break,’ or, ‘I’m a failure,’ then you are going to feel maybe depressed or anxious, and then your behaviors will reflect those feelings,” Hand said. “SMART aims to challenge those thoughts and beliefs, then more accurately reflect what is true.”
SMART avoids the use of the label “addict” simply because the program seeks to recognize people as nuanced rather than just one-dimensional.
According to Hand, “the term ‘addict’ does not really increase motivation, rather it results in a ‘this-is-the-way-I-am mindset.’”
By challenging the narrative of powerlessness, the program seeks to show members that they have a choice and that they can reach their goals.
This specific group meets in the evenings because Hand saw a need for a time frame to allow people who work to have a chance to participate in these meetings.
“There is prevalence for drug addictions in this area, so there needed to be a meeting available for anyone to come.”
The meeting is free and open to the public and usually lasts one hour. When asked what the meeting typically looks like, Hand said, “We go through a brief introduction of SMART, just in case anyone new is present. The meeting is confidential, so we ask that any members there uphold that confidence. There are no monologues or testimonies, rather we go over how we need help in what areas, and I facilitate teaching a specific tool they can implement.”
The program does not just focus on drug abuse but on anything a person sees as a problem and wants help with.
“We are all working on something that we want to change,” Hand said. “There is a place for you to be loved, accepted, and part of a community. So if we can have a place like at Hopwood, then that is my hope.”
For more information, anyone interested in this program can contact Hopwood Church, visit their website at hopwoodcc.org, or search online for SMART programs in any area by typing in your zip code.
