SMART groups

[spacebebe01]

I have started going to SMART groups over the past 2 weeks (since I last drank) and just wanted to let you all know how great I'm finding them. I have been on this roller coaster of trying to quit drinking for years now and know I need support and help to sustain any kind of sobriety. AA and 12 steps are not for me and I have despaired of ever finding a support group that would suit me. The approach in SMART of using cognative behavioural therapy and the face to face group which is really friendly and informal really do seem to fit me so well. I am feeling genuinely positive about myself and my life for the first time in years.

[caysea]

SMART groups

Hi All
Great to hear you are finding your answers to this problem

Stay Healthy and keep Fighting
AF 5-16-08

[Chillgirl]

SMART groups

I have heard great thinks about SMART and Im a big fan of cognative behaviour therapy, unfortunatley there are no groups over here. I would love to hear more about it as you go forward Spacebe if you wouldnt mind sharing.

[Wagoneer]

SMART groups

Wonderful! I say whatever works is what you should do. So happy you have found your niche! Stay happy and stay sober. It's SOOOOO worth it

[Lavande]

SMART groups

Don't know where you are located but glad you have found a meeting nearby

I just looked up SMART meetings in my state (PA) a few days ago. There are 3 closed meetings (2 prison, one hospital) & 1 other that is located clear across the state (5-6 hr drive). Shame, I have a feeling so many people would benefit if they could attend meetings.

[Kimberley]

SMART groups

Hi Space Bebe,

Thanks for posting about this - i think there is not nearly enough info about Smart available. I didn't even know it was CBT based.

I have done CBT and found that it was not entirely helpful for my (multiple!) problems, mostly due to my own attitude to it. I found it invalidating and I need to constantly be validated (thanks, Personality Disorder!). Still, I know it helps MANY people tremendously.

Although i can't abide the notion of CBT, there was some interesting stuff there which has made me think about how I think and has lead me to try to temper my reactionary thoughts a bit. I now look for the positives in every situation, because I choose to. It took lots of practice, but is a great gift/skill to have. I am much happier now that I can do this rather than colapsing into doom and gloom mood with the slightest setback or misfortune.

I am delighted to hear you say how positive you feel about Smart and I really hope it works for you. Please do keep us posted on how it's going.

This is a good, free resource for CBT self-help that anyone can use at home - I have run through it a few times myself: MoodGYM: Welcome It's supposed to be for anxiety and depression, but I guess you could apply it to any 'wonky thinking'.

K x

[mario]

SMART groups

Well done spacbebe, what ever can help you in this fight, Good luck and keep postsing and let us no how you get on.

[spacebebe01]

SMART groups

Thanks for the replies, I needed to hear them today problems at home, my son wont go to school dont know if hes ill or just pretending, 3rd day staying in with him, this is a real trigger for me being stuck at home with him crying all day also the education authority threatening me with fine or prison. But strangely enough I seem to be coping with it just now, hope to stay that way for the rest of the day.

[Guitarista]

SMART groups

Hang in there Spacebebe,

There is great power in your sobriety. Have you read the toolbox thread here? Some great info and strategies/tip's to stay off the grog.

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html