S M a R T Self Management An

S ELF M ANAGEMENT M ® A ND SMART Recovery R ECOVERY T RAINING NEWS& VIEWS Bringing Science and Reason to Self-Help with Addictive Behavior Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Thomas Litwicki, President Emmett Velten, PhD, Editor

cally, staying home to protect her baby prostitution. She does this as someone sister from abuse. Repeatedly, the who has walked in their shoes, letting adults around her sexually assaulted them know that there is hope for their and physically abused her. recovery. Of all the speakers at this President’s Letter By her mid teens, she married and conference, including me, she was the had her own children. By her mid one who spoke to us not just from her twenties, she had lost her children and head, but also from her heart. was living on the streets, severely I walked away from her talk ener- SMART Recovery® is a Member- dependent on drugs and alcohol, and gized to continue the work of SMART earning money through prostitution (Continued on page 2) Supported Organization and drug sales. After numerous arrests, Last year I had the pleasure of repre- she was ordered into an addiction Inside: ® senting SMART Recovery at a treatment program, but ran away from President’s Letter ...... 1 number of professional conferences. I the program after her counselor 4-Point ProgramSM ...... 1 talked with providers about how assaulted her sexually. Over the next SMART Progress important it is to offer SMART few years, she was in and out of correc- The Central Office Has MOVED! . . .3 Recovery® to their clients, and listened tional facilities and hospitals, Come via Plane, Train, or Automobile! . 3 ® to speakers expound on evidence-based appearing more and more hopeless More SMART Recovery Meetings? Who Needs Them?? . . . 4 treatment methods. One speaker this with each admission. ® SMART Recovery OnLine year caught my attention more than Years had passed, and now I looked Fundraising Update ...... 6 any other did. She did not speak of at a strong, independent woman in her Mark Your Calendar for the Fall FUNdraiser! ...... 7 evidence-based practices, or promote a late thirties. She told me how she specific treatment modality, but spoke The Road to Interesting Times ...... 8 finally achieved sobriety, completed St. Gregory Retreat Center . . . . . 8 from personal experience. She spoke of her education, and regained custody of growing up in deplorable conditions International Development her children. Now she volunteers at SMART Recovery® Australia - with parents who struggled with least one day per week helping other Update June 2009 ...... 10 substance abuse and mental health women living on the streets, and strug- SMART Recovery® Calgary Update . 10 problems. She attended school sporadi- gling with substance use, violence, and smartrecoveryontario.com . . . . . 10 Book Review ® Addicted? ...... 11 The SMART Recovery The program offers specific tools and Coming Attraction ...... 11 SM techniques for each of the program points: SMART Ideas 4-Point Program Fresh Start Monday ...... 12 ® Point #1: Enhancing and maintaining he SMART Recovery On Habits ...... 12 motivation to abstain (Self-Management And What If? A Different T Recovery Training) Point #2: Coping with urges Motivational Perspective ...... 13 program helps individuals People Power Point #3: Managing thoughts, feelings and gain independence from A Tribute to our Friend Bob Long . . 14 behavior (problem-solving) addictive behavior. An Analogy ...... 14 Our efforts are based on Point #4: Balancing momentary and Got You Now ...... 14 scientific knowledge and evolve enduring satisfactions Do You Know How Special You Are? . .15 as scientific knowledge evolves. (lifestyle balance) Prison Outreach ...... 15 President’s Letter Continued

Recovery®– to remember in my heart the group comes primarily from our can support your efforts to grow whom I serve as a board member; that experience of using the SMART SMART Recovery®. As president, I SMART Recovery® is about people, Recovery® tools and methods. will bring your concerns to the board many of whom faced addictions, won Why Does It Matter? and our Executive Director. the battle, and who help others with ® SMART Recovery is committed to U.S. facilitators currently listed with similar problems. This is when we are ® providing worldwide science-based SMART Recovery will receive an at our best. Self-empowerment and a recovery support, both face-to-face and email inviting them to volunteer for spirit of mutual support are at the heart online, without concern for a member’s regional reps. If more than one person of what we do. All of our resources are ability to pay for this support. Of wants to represent an area, we will let dedicated to supporting that moment course, maintaining the organization members chose through a vote in local when one person with a problem costs money, including support for meetings. I have invited other coun- enters a room, online or face-to-face, administrative staff, such as the tries to establish a method of member and meets a person who understands, SMART Recovery® Central Office, representation to their board of direc- who may have walked in those same SMART Recovery® New York, U.K., tors, and await their response. In shoes, and knows how to offer help. Alberta, and Australia. These offices addition, Barry Grant has agreed to SMART Recovery® members are those require the efforts of both paid and facilitate a quarterly meeting with who do the volunteer work, and if we volunteer staff. On a local level, there correctional member representatives. are going to grow, SMART Recovery® is the cost of meeting space, materials, Start new meetings led by members will need to mobilize them- and facilitator time. It takes all of this members: There are new meeting selves to take charge of our future. and more to ensure that SMART formats that are easier for new ® Who Is a SMART Recovery Member? Recovery® meetings are available. members to facilitate. These meetings There is not an accepted definition, Different locations have varying ways only require that a member serve as a or even consensus on the use of the of funding these services, but all require host, not as an expert in our methods. term. I think the term “member” is one a significant amount of volunteer I know that current facilitators are people use for themselves if they use resources, and will eventually depend on probably already giving as much time our methods to tackle their addictions the support of SMART Recovery® as possible. I do not suggest that and closely related problems, or to members to manage and support the current facilitators lead more meetings, cope with the addictions and closely organization. Even locations with strong but that they inspire and coach the related problems of others, including government funding, such as the United members at their current meetings to those close to them. Kingdom, have limited resources avail- take responsibility for starting new Another defining feature of able to establish meetings, and resources meetings. In January, we set a goal to “member” is giving back by sharing will eventually expire. Outside funding start 100 new meetings in 2009. To time and financial resources to ensure does not go on forever. date we have received a commitment SMART Recovery® remains available. for approximately 20 new meetings. If How Can Members Become Involved? ® This does not mean that professionals SMART Recovery is going to be a Represent members in your region: cannot also be SMART Recovery® widely accepted option for recovery, it Members in the United States now members. We have purposely cultivated will need to be widely available. have an opportunity to represent their strong relationships with addiction Which means: more meetings. areas through volunteering as a professionals, and some of those profes- : Encourage SMART regional member representative. These Fundraising sionals, including myself, host SMART Recovery® members to donate. The members will represent their regions in Recovery® meetings. However, when More Meetings Team is a member-ini- quarterly online meetings with the facilitating a meeting we are not acting tiated and member-led group focused president. These meetings will focus on in our professional capacity or providing on getting more meetings available regional concerns, and how the professional services. Our authority in within the United States. They will be Central Office and board of directors

Published by the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Self-Help Network, Inc. D.B.A. SMART Recovery® 7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F, Mentor, OH 44060 • Phone: 440/951-5357 • Fax: 440/951-5358 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.smartrecovery.org

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 2 President’s Letter Continued considering ways to raise funds to assist Recovery® is growing. Every day it achieves We obtained a beautiful new space, with new meeting start-ups for individ- more acceptance as a recovery method, approximately three quarters of the size we uals who want to start a meeting, but with meetings starting in communities previously occupied, while reducing our who do not have the financial around the world. Members are starting monthly rent by more than 60%! We are resources to do so. The team would volunteer teams in the United Kingdom even able to open the windows on our then provide materials and support to specifically designed to support meeting lovely second floor suite pictured here. the persons starting a new meeting. If growth; facilitators are increasing donations you would like to donate to this at meetings in places like San Diego; and account, simply advise the Central professionals are starting meetings in Office when sending a donation. Every emerging markets such as Iran. This progress is happening during a time of dollar donated to the group goes international financial uncertainty. But directly to starting a new meeting, support by members and accountability by especially in areas where there is no those who serve the membership, I am current SMART Recovery® presence. confident we will set a solid foundation In addition, SMART Recovery® coming out of 2009 as a strong member- Online is preparing for its supported organization. Thanks for all that Independence Week and Fall you do for SMART Recovery®. Fundraiser (see the article in this Come via Plane, Train, issue.) This group of members raises Tom Litwicki or Automobile! money specifically for expenses related Tom Litwicki Don’t miss our Annual Gathering on to online activities. And, a group President SMART Recovery® donation increase of only $10.00 per October 16-18, 2009 in Chicago! All are invited… facilitators, volunteer advisors, month per group would fully support board members, members of our face-to- the SMART Recovery® Central Office face and our online communities. It’s an in 2010. incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also an Join the Board of Directors: The opportunity to share your ideas and experi- board welcomes SMART Recovery® ences to help grow the organization! members to join in the governance If you’ve never had a chance to visit process. New directors are nominated beautiful Chicago, plan to join in a Friday by August 2009. You can receive an optional tour of Chicago, led by our local application through the Central SMART Recovery® volunteers. Office. The board is always looking for SMART Progress Friday evening is a meet & greet gath- new, energized people who can help us ering, with dinner. We’ll be “wowed” by manage growth along with fidelity to local Chicago volunteer Jeff Fredriksen, our methods. You do not need to be a The Central Office Has MOVED! who created the SMART Recovery® for professional to join. We benefit most As we continue to cut costs as much as Life DVD, and is a magician, by trade. A from a diverse team of committed indi- possible, in late April the Central Office good time is guaranteed! viduals. By joining the board, you moved to a new home. We didn’t move Saturday will begin with continental commit to lead committees, attend all far…just about a quarter mile “up the road” breakfast, and we will meet all day to meetings, including the Fall face-to- on the same street! Our new address follows. Phone and fax numbers remain the review the strategic plan, participant survey, face meeting, and give or get a one same. online activity update, and to review topics thousand U.S. dollar annual donation. and questions shared by volunteers and SMART Recovery® Central Office In conclusion, it is important to recog- members…and more! Lunch is included. 7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F nize our current success. SMART Mentor, OH 44060, USA

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 3 SMART Progress Continued

Sunday will be a half-day “Tool Time” here to see how a meeting can be brought • facilitators recruiting facilitators; program, where each of the tools will be to your town.” • creating a sense that anyone can reviewed and role-played, with the audi- So far, we are pleased to share a variety facilitate (we disconnect the meeting ence sharing the toughest situation they’ve of workable approaches to increase the from the facilitator’s name); had to address for each tool. The program availability of meetings. Here’s how some of • calling on those in the meeting to will conclude at noon on Sunday. ® our SMART Recovery groups have co-facilitate or help by such actions Registration is $79, and includes the attained success at growth… as passing the hat, reading the Friday evening meet/greet dinner; Saturday San Diego, California opening statement, and writing on breakfast, lunch and program; and Sunday Part of how we increase and maintain the board; breakfast and program. Please note: some ® the availability of SMART Recovery • establishing minimum requirements scholarship funds are available for meetings is thru creating a sense of commu- to facilitate; giving attendees an individuals who need financial assis- nity among attendees, facilitators, and information sheet about how to be a tance to attend. administration. Some components of this facilitator; Thanks much to our two current spon- seem to be that we • creating a list of simple steps and sors: Practical Recovery Services, and St. • solicit feedback and input from all; directing interested people to the Gregory Retreat Center. • communicate frequently; regional coordinator for more infor- Additional information and registration mation; is available online via our website: www. • have relatively open access to facili- • having those interested find a facili- smartrecovery.org. tators, regional coordinator, and volunteer advisor; tator to act as a mentor; We look forward to your participation! • arrange for each facilitator to post • encouraging distance training; More SMART Recovery® information about each meeting to • having a goal of more facilitators all other facilitators, and the regional than meetings, which helps to Meetings? Who Needs Them?? coordinator or advisor responds to reduce crises brought on by burnout by the More Meetings Team each posting; or last minute cancellations; We do. Every day, the Central Office • provide a quarterly facilitator • working to have two or three times receives phone calls and emails from people meeting, at which we offer resources, more facilitators than meetings; who want a SMART Recovery® meeting in support, and training; • encouraging co-facilitation, rotating their hometown. To help make more meet- • provide resources, such as books, facilitators, and designating substi- ings available, volunteer meeting facilitators posters, and the Facilitator Training tutes. formed a team. The team’s mission is Kit, all of which we keep handy for We Advertise • to identify the different approaches purchase; ® • Everyone keeps his or her eyes and to establishing SMART Recovery • have a home base, such as Tom ears open for free meeting space, meetings; Horvath’s office here in San Diego; promotion possibilities; • publicize these approaches; • provide perks, such as yearly dinners, • We keep meeting schedules readily • motivate our community to use the parties, etc., for facilitators. When available; ideas to establish more meetings. available, we offer freebies, such as • We provide a schedule on voicemail, The team plans to set a goal of X new tickets, News & Views, community website, and email, and we keep the meetings in X amount of time—we are training. schedule updated, especially with working on determining the specific goal As well, we recruit more facilitators Central Office; and timeframe! by • We mail or email schedules to If you would like a meeting in your area, • joining a local volunteer organiza- relevant parties, e.g., courts, and visit www.smartrecovery.org, and “Click tion that will refer facilitators; treatment centers;

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 4 SMART Progress Continued

• We have someone available to Centre, Ted Noff’s Foundation to run meetings. I meet with students there answer questions from people in (Youth Foundation); for an hour a week and they are allowed the community; • provided in-service to ADIS two hours of “counseling time credit” each • We created a pamphlet describing (Alcohol and Drug Information time they facilitate or co-facilitate a ninety SMART Recovery® and local services; Service) and the NSW Quit minute meeting. More non-students also want to run meetings, but what I have cited • We have public relations outreach to Smoking line; above is the main source. such people as Suboxone reps, • attended to present/exhibit at: Toastmasters, the military, and other Alcohol, Tobacco & other Drugs NOTE: Hank previously published an self-help groups. Council of Tasmania; Melbourne article in the Summer 2007 News & Views regarding new meeting success. We ® Summit; the Australasian SMART Recovery Australia Professional Society on Alcohol and encourage you to read the article, which is ® ® SMART Recovery Australia has had other Drugs (APSAD) Conference; available on the SMART Recovery great success in starting new meetings by Therapeutic Communities website. The article, which begins on page creating partnerships with various organiza- Association; and met with 7, is titled, “How Some Pacific University tions, traveling to various conferences and Responsible Gambling Fund to Graduate Students Came to Be Facilitating ® ® expositions to share SMART Recovery , introduce SMART Recovery®; SMART Recovery Meetings—Could It and maintaining regular contact with orga- Happen Elsewhere?” • have ongoing facilitator support nizations that can help enhance the growth meetings; Calgary, Alberta, Canada of meetings throughout Australia. For by Curtis Boudreau example, we • are developing specific SMART Recovery® groups for the indigenous In Calgary, we encourage participants to • have monthly meetings with the population. review existing belief systems to find a Department of Corrective Services; connection with a program that meets • conduct trainings in live-in Portland, Oregon their needs. We do not debate 12-Step programs, outpatient programs, by Hank Robb particulars, because many people who go to homeless shelters, the Salvation The main source this year in growth in Step meetings do want workable tools. We Army, youth programs, the Drug & number of meetings has been that many offer a safe venue for all people, of any Alcohol Multicultural Education more students at Pacific University wanted denomination, faith, or lack thereof, to come and learn to use the tools and to apply the 4-Point ® ProgramSM to help them SMART Recovery Program Tools & Techniques attain their objectives. I am expanding The SMART Recovery® 4-Point ProgramSM employs a Participants are SMART Recovery® to variety of tools and techniques to help individuals gain encouraged to learn many people who may independence from addictive behavior. how to use each tool or may not even believe in something • Change Plan Worksheet and to practice the • Cost/Benefit Analysis greater. That is what tools and techniques draws and keeps people • ABCs of REBT (Rational Emotive These as they progress coming back to the Behavior Therapy) for Urge Coping toward Point 4 of the Calgary meetings. Our tools • ABCs of REBT for Emotional Upsets format is so successful program—achieving • DISARM (Destructive Images Self-talk that Edmonton, AB, include: Awareness and Refusal Method) lifestyle balance and Athabasca, AB, and • Brainstorming leading a fulfilling Whitehorse, YK, are • Role-playing and Rehearsing and healthy life. opening meetings based

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 5 SMART Progress Continued on this model. I am even welcome to speak By offering a wider range of meeting who have participated, when providing an at recovery centres based on the 12 steps, formats, we can meet the needs of partici- evaluation form, indicate that following and yes, they do offer SMART Recovery®, pants and can grow. We have also started a the training, they feel prepped and ready to as I present it, as a viable alternative for “team approach” to the meetings to begin a meeting in their hometown! We’d aftercare. develop groups that are more cohesive and love to have you participate and start a I foster a spirit of co-operation with to share the responsibility for a particular local meeting! all forms of treatment. 12 steps and church meeting among several volunteers. Via If you wish to join the More Meetings are where people develop their relation- anonymous listserv, we send our partici- Team, please email Shari Allwood: ship with God, as they understand Him. pants a weekly email summary of the [email protected]. ® meeting schedule. It includes descriptions SMART Recovery is where people ® come to develop a relationship with of the meeting formats. SMART Recovery OnLine THEMSELVES, which is hugely The three new meeting formats include: Fundraising Update by TwoPutts, Committee Chair empowering and leads to increased self- 1. The Point Meeting focuses each week in ® confidence. I believe that the combination turn on one point of the 4-Point The SMART Recovery OnLine (SOL) of self-confidence coupled with whatever ProgramSM of SMART Recovery®, and Fundraising Committee’s original goal is to spiritual work they want to explore is a the cycle repeats monthly. cultivate an online “Community of solid one-two punch for a person’s Giving.” Along with that, we set some 2. Each week the Handbook Meeting uses a recovery. (Note: See the SMART ambitious fundraising objectives. Well, ® tool or reading from the SMART Recovery Calgary update on page 10.) we’re on our way on the ride. Many Recovery® Handbook. ® ® changes and enrichments have already SMART Recovery NYC , USA 3. The Rational Discussion Meeting uses a taken place within SOL, all toward that Note: For a complete article on SMART scripted format to reduce the pressure on aim. And, donations are “up.” Recovery® NYC’s approach, visit the Spring the meeting facilitator, in this case called For fundraisers, another mantra is, 2009 issue of the News & Views, and read the “Host.” “Make It Easy To Give.” Often, that the article titled, “Growing SMART Details and agendas for each meeting ® requires some work. Recovery Meetings: Experimenting with appear in the Spring 2009 News & Views Committee members have helped Different Formats in NYC,” which begins referenced above. Using these varying elevate the ways one can easily donate to on page 11. Excerpts follow below. meeting formats has allowed NYC to SOL. We have: In the summer of 2008, SMART increase the number of meetings available Recovery® NYC faced a crisis. We had to to residents. • an enriched Donate Section; cancel two of our six weekly meetings Distance Training • several “sticky note” posts within the because we did not have enough trained If you’re thinking, “Starting a SMART Message Boards; facilitators. The same problem affects other Recovery® meeting in my area is a scary • automated donation reminders that locales and contributes to the difficulty of proposition – I’m not expert in the program appear in Chat and Meetings; growing meetings. or tools,” take heart! Every other month, • elevated facilitator requests for dona- Our local Board discussed what to do, ® SMART Recovery hosts a Distance tions in SOL; and we decided we needed a simpler Training program. The program is a combi- • sprinkled donate buttons all over the meeting format, one that did not require nation of self-study of SMART Recovery® website; extensive training for facilitators. From written materials and DVDs, combined with these discussions, we developed three new a Wednesday evening session with an expert • added PayPal and other easy means meeting formats, while continuing to offer to review the topic and materials. (For addi- of donating; “Standard Meetings.” We liked the tional information, click on the information • added GoodSearch and GoodShop Standard Meetings because the latter about meeting facilitator link on the options; offered the richness of using the tools and homepage of www.smartrecovery.org.) • had volunteers donate artwork to techniques as facilitated by a skilled and The distance training programs have their posting names; seasoned facilitator. resulted in many new meetings, and those

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 6 SMART Progress Continued

• added ways to adopt a meeting, indirect funding mechanisms for SOL, items, and just about anything else you can message board thread, or 24/7 chat; along with our own adoption thread. think of. Whatever you have to donate, • placed a year-round fundraiser thread Please stay tuned to the message boards please contact Shari or Jodi at the Central within the volunteer section. for previews and the unveiling of the event Office (toll-free 866/951-5357; 440/951- as Independence Week begins. 5357; [email protected]). We will Building awareness takes time and perse- post pictures of the items on the Message Do come join us the week of June 28 to verance, but we are gaining momentum. Boards for people to salivate over before the July 5, and share your Independence! We have been FREE for forever and we are auction. Once bidding gets underway, And… making many efforts to convert the word things get lively and often hilarious. That’s “free” to “valuable resources for you.” Mark Your Calendar for the Fall FUNdraiser! what happens when people celebrate their Independence Week by Dee, Chair, Fall FUNdraising Committee independence. The fundraising committee will be SMART Recovery® OnLine is delighted to The fundraising celebration centers on a holding a SOL fundraiser for Independence invite you to join us this fall at our Annual hosted chat marathon in both voice and Week, June 28-July 5. The Independence SOL Fall FUNdraiser, marking SMART text chat rooms, during which we will have theme will permeate our presentations. Just Recovery® OnLine’s 11th Anniversary, on scheduled events and guest speakers. In the consider how much independence means November 6 and 7. We are still planning, past, we have had alumni, volunteers, SOL to you. Independence from addiction. but here’s your heads-up and your engraved founders, SMART Recovery® members, Independence from diseases and permanent invitation. Get your schedules out and get members of the Board, members of the labels. Independence from Steps galore. fall FUNdraiser into your schedule. advisory team, and authors of the books Threads where members can post and We want to embrace all facets of our being auctioned. There will be plenty of pledge may include: SMART Recovery® community in this time to socialize, discuss recovery issues, • “In Memoriam…..” wonderful event. Especially, we want learn from others, gain inspiration, and just ® • Thanks for the……..” to include ALL SMART Recovery enjoy a celebratory atmosphere. You can facilitators, meeting participants, and any enjoy games, prizes, contests, and more • “Liberty…………” other friends of SMART Recovery®. Help throughout the Message Boards and chat • “Freedom……….” us spread the word—at your meetings, rooms for a full 24 hours, non-stop. Will we We will also unveil an interesting among friends, and to anyone interested have the pleasure of your company? auction format to help raise some money in our organization. Here’s How and finish off that spring-cleaning many of Fundraising is the focus, and we are To participate, register on the Message us wished we had done. Additional threads actively soliciting donations. Past items Boards. This is simple and quick to do. will introduce some valuable forms of have included gift baskets, memorabilia, Detailed instructions will be available on contributing items through a recycling shopping certificates, recovery books (many the main site: http://www.smartrecovery. program. We intend to add threads empha- signed by the authors), member artwork org. There’ll be all the information you sizing GoodSearch and GoodShop as (photos, paintings, poetry), hand-made craft need to get started navigating around the

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SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 7 SMART Progress Continued site. It is a wonderful place with tremen- healthier ways to cope and to develop that Matthew Broberg, Provisional dous resources, a message board, meetings life worth living. Alcohol and Drug Counselor and chat, and especially our wonderful I try to help them shine a light on their Adolescent and Adult Chemical participants. Haven’t done it before? Try it own idiosyncrasies, so that they can help Dependency Counselor once, and you’ll never go back! themselves regain that life they thought Rizzo and Associates, PC We hope you will share in the they lost. 7836 Wakeley Plaza FUNdraising celebration, and beyond that, Two years ago, I found SMART Omaha, NE 68114 will adopt SOL’s robust community as a Recovery®, and rejoiced. The only problem (402) 305-7694 regular and rewarding place to visit to enjoy was the lack of meetings. At the time, I was 1Editor’s Note: In case you are giving and getting support all year long. working in non-profits, and though they wondering, I’ve not set foot in Omaha. claim to be non-profit, they wouldn’t swing The Road to Interesting Times to allow me to start a meeting in their halls. I benefited from SMART Recovery® St. Gregory Retreat Center by Tom Horvath, PhD., Immediate Past President, for many years before I even knew what Just recently, I entered private practice, SMART Recovery® it was. Nine and a half years into my and the good Joseph Rizzo, PhD, at Rizzo own version of SMART Recovery®, I’m and Associates was an enthusiastic support St. Gregory Retreat Center, a recent addition ® about to start my first official SMART in my developing a meeting in Omaha. In to the SMART Recovery community, is a Recovery® meeting. the hallowed halls of Rizzo and Associates, highly cost-effective, eight-week residential I have been granted sanctuary to offer those recovery program based on the pioneering Especially early in the game, my efforts who desire freedom and to seek succor. were full of trial and error. I sought help work of psychologist Stanton Peele, PhD, ® from the 12 Steps, and found no comfort or I have the benefit of having close ties JD, a member of SMART Recovery ’s solace. I began to see a therapist and found to the addiction and behavioral health International Advisory Council. I had the that I was enlivened to live a life worth community, and many have offered opportunity to visit St. Gregory’s, which is support to the development of a SMART located in Iowa, in May 2009, while Dr. living. I could take control of my thoughts, ® feelings, and behavior, and find a new kind Recovery Meeting in Omaha. Peele was doing staff continuing education. of peace. The therapist was a kind, yet Three days from now, I will meet with a It was exciting to observe directly the unmistakably weird fellow1, a devotee of district court judge who once said he would largest US residential program, which Ellis and Beck, and their philosophies support a SMART Recovery® meeting if includes SMART Recovery® as an option flowed through him like water. Their tech- someone started one. I feel fortunate to be in its aftercare planning, and which is niques and messages brought life back to able to talk with this surprisingly supportive highly consistent with the SMART the seemingly infertile fields of my psyche. servant of justice. There could be a great Recovery® program. movement in Omaha, and I hope we can This shaped my life from then on. My As you might imagine, the guests (as spread the word wider yet. Maybe SMART techniques haven’t been the sharpest at they are called) at St. Gregory learn an Recovery® meeting #1 will soon grow too times, and there have been times when I approach to recovery that is radically large and we will need to expand. Eight haven’t practiced them at all, much to different from what most American my detriment. grown-ups have declared their interest, and in the teen SMART Recovery® meeting recovery clients learn. Dr. Peele’s first book Soon after I stepped away from treat- that will begin the following week, there was Love and Addiction (1975). In it, he ment, I found myself traveling the country, are five. presents an understanding of addiction that and when I settled back to the town of my he elaborates in the many books that follow, I will keep you up-to-date on birth, I sought purpose. I went to college including Addiction-Proof Your Child, 7 developments. and decided that helping people was my Tools to Beat Addiction, Diseasing of thing. I ended up finding joy in addictions There is a saying that is both a blessing America, The Truth about Addiction and counseling, the capacity to offer something and a curse, “May you live in interesting Recovery, Resisting 12-Step Coercion, and to those whose lives are sometimes in times.” Indeed. The Meaning of Addiction. Anyone serious shambles, and who need little more than

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 8 SMART Progress Continued about understanding addiction would do would the guest go? (Just joking!) One of the next steps for the Center well to read at least one of Dr. Peele’s books. The facilities are modern, comfort- is the development of a network of At St. Gregory the guests participate in the ably furnished, and attractive. A outpatient clinics that will teach a exercises of Dr. Peele’s Life Process Program further advantage of these locations is version of the Life Process Program in (LPP), first developed in 1991, and now that guests have the opportunity to outpatient settings. Just as St. Gregory adapted by Dr. Peele for exclusive use at involve themselves in their temporary Retreat Center itself is, these clinics St. Gregory Retreat Center. hometowns doing service work. As just will be a fundamental contribution to The Life Process Program empha- one example, I got to walk through the how recovery occurs in the US. sizes identifying the guest’s deepest large yard of a neighboring house, St. Gregory Retreat Center is a values, and living in accordance with owned by an elderly widow who is sponsor of the SMART Recovery® them. A life based on deepest values is unable to do much yard work anymore. Annual Gathering in Chicago in typically one which moves past addic- The guests, under the guidance of a October (see details on page 3 of this tion, and involves ongoing learning, master gardener, brought her garden issue). Representatives from St. the development of skills (including back to its previous glory. Gregory will be there to answer ques- cognitive-behavioral skills such as we By the time you are reading this tions about their services. I hope you ® teach in SMART Recovery ), service article St. Gregory Retreat Center will take the opportunity to speak with to others, and the inclusion of life-en- have separate male and female facili- them. hancing daily activities including good ties. As Dr. Peele notes repeatedly in I am also pleased to report that nutrition, exercise (including regular his writing, our immediate situations members of the St. Gregory staff are visits to the gym, indoor pool and can have a big impact on us. Separate currently attending our Facilitator volleyball games), and time for reflec- facilities will allow most residents to Distance Training, to provide SMART tion and meditation. Daily time for focus more easily on learning the Life Recovery® meetings to their guests, as these activities is generously included Process Program. well as to help to encourage guests to in the schedule. Because the begin a SMART Recovery® guest’s stay is two months, meeting in their hometown the addiction recovery curric- when completing the ulum does not have to be program. The St. Gregory briefly force-fed. Guests get staff will be pleased to to live life in a comfortable provide meeting space for daily rhythm, which then community SMART easily transfers back to the Recovery® meetings in their regular lives. new outpatient clinics. One of the greatest advan- Editor’s Note: This is super- tages of the St. Gregory lative news. Peele has been a Retreat Center is its location pioneer, courageously tackling in Iowa. Unlike the fancy the coercive, dysfunctional, rehabs near the beach in harmful, American addiction Malibu, California or other practicalrecovery.com treatment system. His books destination locations, the have been an inspiration to Center operates from two 858-453-4777 many of us. St. Gregory? facilities located in very small There were many, but I prefer farming towns, Adair and St. Gregory the Enlightener. Bayard. Even if a guest were La Jolla (San Diego), CA; PSY7732 Hell, St. Stanton works, too. to decide to run away, where advertisement

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 9 with addictions. As a not-for-profit organi- is they are recommending SMART sation, our continued aim and focus is to Recovery® as an alternative after-care apply for as many appropriate grants as program to their clients after treatment. possible, so we can continue to assist the Currently there are five different centres communities throughout Australia. where the staff presents the SMART In addition, SMART Recovery® Recovery® program to their clients. Australia is developing partnerships with Renfrew Detox Centre has a weekly other organisations such as rehabilitation presentation; the Calgary Drop-in Centre centres and other agencies. This allows us has presentation every two weeks; Lander International Development to collaborate throughout the year in Treatment Centre is also visited every two promoting SMART’s approach. We are weeks; Alberta Health Services presents ® ® currently organising our first fundraising SMART Recovery as part of their relapse SMART Recovery Australia – event, which should take place later in prevention program as a community Update June 2009 the year. resource every eight weeks; and the by Jim Villamor and Josette Freeman SMART Recovery® is also working with Salvation Army Centre of Hope has a Juvenile Justice in New South Wales. It SMART Recovery® Australia has monthly presentation. looks like Juvenile Justice will start running ® continued to grow during the last few Excellent news for SMART Recovery is SMART Recovery® in their centres, months, and we have launched our first that the Centre of Hope is a 12-step based starting this year. Stay tuned, and we will program in Perth, Western Australia. In centre, and after seeing my presentation of keep you informed. April, we—Josette and Jim—conducted the program, attendance at my monthly a training and information session for SMART Recovery® Calgary Update presentation is now mandatory for all 40 people. Already we have two weekly by Curtis Boudreau clients using their services! SMART Recovery® meetings in Western Two new meetings have started in Australia and plan to start more Greetings, fellow SMART Recovery® Western-Canada. Athabasca, Alberta, and meetings soon. members and facilitators. Whitehorse, Yukon, now have weekly Both of us stay busy presenting at I have been extremely busy getting the SMART Recovery® meetings. conferences. In June, we will present a word out about the SMART Recovery® ® I recently celebrated four years clean in paper at the DANA (Drugs and Alcohol program and SMART Recovery Calgary. May!! When presenting at centres, I make Nurses of Australia) Conference at Surfers To date, I have presented the SMART sure to let them know that SMART Paradise on the Gold Coast. This annual Recovery® program to seven different Recovery® is the basis for my recovery. I conference attracts many health workers recovery centres. I am happy to say that all also let them know that I have completed and allows us to continue our networking seven loved the program and will refer ® the 12-steps of Narcotics Anonymous. efforts to promote SMART Recovery their clients to our Calgary meetings for in Queensland. an approved after-care program. When combining the two programs, for me, 1 + 1 = 3! In July, we will make our first expedition Shapell FGI is a counseling company. to Darwin in the Northwest Territory. I presented to all of their counselors Till next time, stay SMART, stay clean!! The object? As usual, to launch SMART mid-May. They were thrilled with the ® Recovery . As we go nationwide, Darwin program and were eager not only to direct smartrecoveryontario.com is our focus because of its high incidence their clients to our Calgary meeting, but We held a facilitator training day in April of addictions. Step number one there also to go online to learn about all the and have a new meeting starting in Smiths will be to conduct a training and tools and points first hand! Falls, Ontario. Our new facilitators are information session. Wally Adamson, Eldon White, and Linda Top of the World Treatment Centres in ® Bellinger. Wally co-facilitates the SMART Recovery Australia is also Calgary got to look at the current SMART applying for grant money to expand our Recovery® program, and liked what they Brockville meeting, Eldon is facilitating the services to (1) the indigenous population, saw. Top of the World is a 12-step based Smiths Falls meeting and Linda is hoping and (2) family and caregivers of people recovery program. However, the good news to facilitate a meeting in Cardinal, Ontario starting this fall.

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 10 pocket of double-suited Broadway cards, or International Development Continued whether or not another player is bluffing, Book Review could be a gambling addict—or a profes- SMART Recovery® Ontario has an sional poker player. Similarly, hitting the informational website. gym for hours a day, taking a run in the early afternoon, and scheduling social The Integrated Forensic Program of the appointments so they do not conflict with Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is evening yoga classes are often signs of an holding a Forensic Recovery Conference in exercise addict—or an Olympic athlete in Ottawa on October 22 and 23. Speakers training. In many cases, the behavior is an include Tom Litwicki, Fraser Ross, Michler addiction; in others, it’s a livelihood under- Bishop, Barry Grant, and Linda Sobell. The taken with a professional approach. event will highlight the best, evidence- Addicted? In general, the lay population has an based practices for recovery, focusing on the by Marilyn Freimuth incomplete understanding of addiction forensic population. Review by Sandcrab_Margarita, SMART Recovery® characterized by the familiar stereotypes of In addition to the main conference, the OnLine Message Board Volunteer TV sitcom drunks or heroin addicts lying in evening will be dedicated to SMART doorways in the seedier section of town. Recovery®. The evening is being called In short, this book asks one question and Throughout, Freimuth laments the poor ® provides hundreds of pages of guidance for “What Makes SMART Recovery So record that medical and mental health the reader to come up with an answer. The Smart?” and is being promoted as an professionals (presumably in the context of intended readership is people who suspect evening of entertaining stories, music, the United States) have in identifying they may have an addiction, but also the and networking opportunities. Tom, addictions. On the whole, Freimuth intends spouses, parents, children, co-workers, to reach a broad audience, and to do so she Fraser, and Barry tell their stories and friends, and fellow travelers of the suspects. answer questions after which everyone avoids both clinical jargon and sensational can enjoy pleasant conversation and light Freimuth’s work aims to be comprehen- anecdotes. sive, and it includes discussions not only of refreshments, with a background of smooth THE GOOD. There’s good news for the common substance addictions (alcohol, jazz by Jesse and Ken. SMARTies in the pages of Addicted? Many prescription drugs, street drugs, and other of the principles we use to identify and SMART Recovery® will have a display substances such as inhalants) but also recover from addictions are given respect table at this event. The conference is behavioral addictions. Freimuth states that throughout this book. Freimuth notes that expected to have 150 participants from people have many potential addictions, and addictions often hide other issues, primarily mental health, corrections, and addictions. she defines a potential addiction as: psychological, with which the addicted Dawn Adamson [A]ny behavior with the capacity to person is trying to cope. Toward the end of CPMHN(c), CARN create reliable changes in feeling, mood, the book, Freimuth introduces the basic Forensic Treatment Unit or self-experience can become addictive, structure of our beloved Cost-Benefit Brockville Mental Health Centre especially when there are few or no alter- Analysis (CBA) as a means for a person to PO Box 1050, 1804 Highway #2 East native means to generate these desirable understand the rationality and irrationality Brockville, Ontario K6V 5W7 outcomes. [page 195] of the behavior in question. She also CANADA The changes in feelings, mood, and self- stresses throughout that addictions consti- experience get a more detailed examination tute a continuum of behaviors and earlier in the book: consequences, and that what’s “excessive” Got an Article or Idea to Share for one person may not be a problem at all Any behavior that is associated with for another. Finally, the psychological in the News & Views? feelings of power, alertness, aliveness, makeup of an individual is a critical excitement, mastery, or relaxation has the Email your articles or ideas component of the risk of a behavior potential to become an addiction. [page 39] to Editor Emmett Velten, becoming an addiction. She mentions [email protected], and Especially with behavioral addictions, limited coping mechanisms and a need to Shari Allwood, Freimuth considers the context. Someone alter or escape one’s self as huge risk factors. [email protected] who spends many hours contemplating (Sound familiar to anyone?) drawing odds, the potential for an Omaha

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 11 Book Review Continued

Each of the addictions Freimuth THE BOTTOM LINE. Addicted? is addresses in detail (substance abuse, useful, accessible, and current in its think- gambling, computer/internet, sex/cybersex, ing—other than the glaring error of default buying/shopping, and exercise) includes 12-Step referrals. For those readers trying to SMART Ideas screening tools the reader might use for understand addiction and identifying addic- self-diagnosis or to understand where a tion among the people they care about, this loved one, friend, or colleague might fit on work is a valuable resource. I’d recommend a continuum. It is fair to say that Freimuth copies for every high school in the country, fulfills the claim made by the tag line on clinical psychologists who do not specialize the book cover, “Recognizing destructive in addiction, the offices of pediatricians and Fresh Start Monday behavior before it’s too late” (emphasis in general practitioners, and mental health Join us for “Fresh Start Monday,” on the the original). centers. While many of us already in the second Monday of each month, from 8 to 9 ® pm, Eastern Time. THE BAD. While SMART Recovery® SMART Recovery community might find is mentioned several times throughout the the book too elementary, it is an excellent Fresh Start Monday is a support meeting book, Freimuth’s default recommendation is outreach to those seeking to understand for face-to-face and online facilitators, and to seek help through Twelve-Step fellow- and perhaps take on the top public health for message board and chat volunteers. Tom ships. For a work that effectively describes problem in the developed world. Horvath facilitates the meetings, and the psychological underpinnings of at-risk Editor’s Note: Like most of our readers, I Hammer (a.k.a. Lorie) hosts them online. behavior and addiction throughout, there’s have not read Freimuth’s book, and have The meetings are held in PalTalk, which is a major inconsistency here. only the review as a source of informa- an easy-to-use online voice software system. THE UGLY. The editing of this book tion. Our reviewer’s reference to These Fresh Start Monday meetings could use some improvement. Diction Freimuth’s discussion of the context of provide an opportunity for you to bring (“regretfully” used when “regrettably” is behavior, and what it means to the your own issues and concerns to a meeting proper), copyediting (“who” used in an person, as part of the definition of “addic- and gain support—as well as a chance to objective sense, “I could breath” missing it’s tion,” conflicts with Freimuth’s favorite get to know other volunteers. It is also a treatment referral, 12-step. The 12-Step great opportunity to see how a seasoned e; a “pasttime” sporting a surplus t) unwar- ® ranted hyperbole (“While Americans Disease Model of Addiction has zero SMART Recovery veteran runs a meeting. initially lived by an economic principle interest at all in context or in what the For information regarding registering for involving unchecked consumption of person thinks (other than denial and PalTalk to participate, contact Lorie via goods”), and most offensive to SMART surrendering to “being” a lifelong addict). email: [email protected]. Mark your Recovery® Online’s Middlebrow Book A disease is a disease—context and the calendar for the second Monday each Thread, who have placed Augusten person’s viewpoint have nothing to do with month and plan to join in! Burroughs on our Top Ten List, Burrough’s it. Perhaps a second edition of Freimuth’s name is misspelled in its first appearance work, with a subtitle of Treatment?, will On Habits (but spelled properly later on). include a nuanced, evidence-based by Hank Robb, PhD, ABPP approach to treatment. The layout provides its own challenges. The nature of all habits is that we do them While it’s a common practice in textbooks Coming Attraction quickly and easily without much thought. to include illustrative material in high- Emmett Velten is writing a wry review of Those facts say a lot about changing a lighted text boxes on some pages, that just Chris Prentiss’s The Alcoholism and habit—including your habitual addictive doesn’t work in Addicted? Text boxes inter- Addiction Cure. You’ve seen it on TV ad behavior. rupt the narrative, are often inserted in the infinitum, to say nothing of ad nauseum, First, there has to be consciousness- middle of paragraphs, and cause the reader but what does the book actually say? Well, raising. You can’t change something that to flip pages back and forth to maintain it says everything in the book—with two you don’t’ notice, and as a simple matter of continuity. Surely, the editors might find a consistent themes: (1) I’m-the-greatest and fact, things done habitually are done less intrusive tactic. (2) no mention of evidence-based treat- without much notice. You may not notice ment research.

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 12 SMART Ideas Continued until you’ve put your last dollar in the YOU because you do some thing habitually nothing short of a Higher Power is lottery machine or finished the last beer in that ends up giving you too much of what capable of dealing with it? the 12 pack, but wherever you start—that’s you do not want in life and not enough of What if, instead, you view it as: where you start. And then what do you do? what you do want. Yes, it is too bad to have • a difficult and complex problem that You march backward: the dollar before your built some habitual behavior that ends up requires the strength of conviction, last dollar, the next to last beer rather than not working for you. And, that’s all it is – tools and support, and commitment the last one. TOO BAD! So get busy building new to overcome The aim is to increase your awareness to habits. If they are the “right” new habits for • a problem that, given enough time the point before you actually DO whatever you, you will also be building a new life! and serious effort, you can replace it is you’ve been doing habitually, because Editor’s Note: Here are several additional with something positive? that’s the point at which you can really points I often make. (1) Habits are begin BREAKING the habit. Before that, supposed to stick, and not fade away What if, instead of burdening oneself you can stop doing the habit midstream, so overnight, or just because you decide you with: to speak, but stopping in the middle, or just don’t like them. (2) It can raise your • guilt for past and possible future after you start, isn’t the same as not starting consciousness powerfully if you write out behavior in the first place. Try tracking what was and speak aloud a detailed description of • fear of urges and using thoughts in going on just before you started your habit. your carrying out the habit in question, the present and future What were you thinking or feeling or what from apparently irrelevant decisions, all environment were you in? That knowledge the way to execution and aftermath. • the drearily dreadful thought of a can help you with, “Be on the lookout for lifetime of struggle and coping with the thing I do without much noticing it.” What If? A Different the potential return of our addiction Once you are aware that you are ABOUT What if you could lay all those burdens Motivational Perspective down, including the original one that to do the habit, you are in a position to do by Richard J Lacroix, online volunteer and something else. face-to-face meeting facilitator caused the others, by accepting that the The second aspect of habits also causes problem behavior has only one solution What if addiction is not a struggle against a trouble once you decide to change one. It is and that the solution is not to do pernicious all-powerful disease or a hopeless the fact that you do them rather quickly SOMETHING, but instead to NOT do character defect that can only be removed and easily. So, if you change, your new something? by your complete submission to a Higher behavior won’t be AS quick or AS easy; What if we could train ourselves, once Power? which isn’t to say that it couldn’t be done we get past the initial coping of getting free FAIRLY quickly and FAIRLY easily. But What if, for the sake of discussion, it’s of the problem in the first place, to look at do what? actually a behavior that, for one good it like we look at other things that we do reason or another (physical, emotional, or Changing a habit isn’t just “not doing on a daily basis? Like taking care of our psychological predisposition, whatever) has it.” Changing a habit is doing something basic hygiene, feeding ourselves, or remem- come to affect your life in a negative else instead. Well, what are you going to do bering to take our vitamins or other enough manner that you have decided that instead? You’ll actually have many options prescribed meds, walk the dog, clean the you need to make a change? and the point is to pick one of them and kitty litter box, or tell your kids that you DO THAT—over and over. That’s how What if, having come to realize that the love them? new habits are established. You do the new problem is learned, mainly self-taught What if, to that long list of daily thing over and over and don’t do the old behavior, you understand that it is not: routines, we were able to add, “Remember thing and, after awhile, you find you are • something that is to be feared not to use today.” doing the new thing without much thought • impossible to come to terms with That sure would be something now, and rather quickly and easily, “Thanks, I’ll without Divine Intervention wouldn’t it? Something maybe worth have water or a soda please.” looking into trying? • otherwise so insurmountable and Habitual behavior is part of being gigantically difficult a problem that Disclaimer: Although the person writing human. There’s nothing “wrong” with

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 13 SMART Ideas Continued this post has been employing this mindset/ consequences, i.e., can interfere with the The social stuff is good. Having a port to method for well over a year without any precious individual freedom that permits us duck into during the squalls that happen in “relapses” or returns to previous maladap- to choose behavior conducive to our goals. life can be good as well. A bit of rest and tive behaviors, your experience may be In other words choosing words with ambi- refit is nearly always helpful. When the different. guity or un-necessary shades of meaning boat stays docked in the port, for the most can affect thinking, which in turn can part, the views remain the same. affect behavior. Underlying this semantic You can think of the tools as foul People Power fervor was a rare compassion for and under- weather gear, use them and you get to go standing of his fellow human beings, which out in the storms and by persistence (and made him an exceedingly effective teacher tacking back and forth), you begin to learn and facilitator. how, and then actually do, move forward When I began to attend SMART against the wind. With practice, it becomes Recovery® meetings in the San Jose, CA almost second nature. area in 1996, Bob had already been facili- Which is not to say that sometimes a tating for a year or two. He had developed storm so large rolls in so suddenly that the a distinctive style integrating teaching, proper response of the prudent sailor will be A Tribute to our Friend Bob Long group interaction, handouts, small group to make for the nearest port. After which by Paul Pearah, volunteer exercises, and outside readings. Over the he/she checks for storm-induced damages, years, we became close friends and Bob does some repairs, reviews what happened, Bob Long has not passed away, expired, or trained me and several other facilitators. and learns a lesson or two. departed, nor is he resting in peace—he has He contributed to the organization by Hoist sails, clear port, time to head out died. These words are not chosen to be serving on the local Board for more than a to the deep blue seas. disrespectful, ironic, or clever but rather decade, and at the national level by partici- because they are pating in many of the annual meetings and objectively true Got You Now helping to develop the ideas and materials by online participant Tim-San Diego and do not that we continue to use to train facilitators. impose any inter- I will always remember Bob as a kind, You had control, you had it all, pretation of the patient, and modest teacher who loved you toyed with me, you made the call. event on the people as much as he loved nature, you welcomed me into your self, reader. For if there Yosemite, the ocean, and birds of prey, and and now you give me all your wealth. is anything that a true friend who espoused a contagious You had the fun, you had the thrills. Bob has taught us and useful philosophy that has changed my Neglect me now and you’ll get chills. (and he was life forever. I believe that the world would You like to think you rule your life, nothing if not a be a better place if we all could be a bit but I am a demanding wife. perpetual student and teacher) it is that just more like Bob Long. as surely as thoughts shape behavior, words You married me with every pill, Editor’s Note: Bob was one of those are the very fabric and embodiment of our with every script you loved to fill, always-be-there people, a steady and thoughts and should therefore be chosen with every syringe that you shot strong beacon in our part of the world. with great care. For instance, Bob was very another piece of you I got. Now his light will still shine through us. conscientious in maintaining a sharp line I’ve got you now, I own your soul, between references to “drinking” versus An Analogy I suck your dreams in my black hole. “drinking alcohol.” by online message board volunteer fenquat I own your life, I own your heart, Part of Bob’s secular humanist philos- So not until death do we part. ophy was that people are free to behave During a recent discussion on the message I was your “secret” way back then. and think as they please, and that using boards about the value of using tools and You stashed me deep within your den. words with unintended or unconscious social support, our sage friend fenquat You turned to me for every ill. connotations can lead to unintended shared the following… I was your magic fix-it pill.

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 14 People Power Continued

You bartered soul for blissful numb, Your blood type or cereal brand. women, some of them mothers, and some you cared not if the deal was dumb. You’re much too complex for just race, not. I experienced incarceration, but not You clung to me to deal with strife, creed or sex, from the point of view of women. Not and now I own your very life. You’re wonderfully multidimensional. surprisingly, the most important issue was I’m tracking you for all your days, You’re one-of-a-kind with a fabulous mind freedom. Yet the concept of freedom had to I’m always hiding in the haze. And a spirit that’s quite unconventional! do with freedom from addiction as well as from influences that precipitated and I’m standing by, with all my charms, What makes you a treasure cannot encouraged negative behaviors. Many of the for you to greet me in your arms. be measured latter pertained to their relationships with I’ve got you now, I own your soul, With numbers or checks on a chart. their children, and of course, with men, as I suck your dreams in my black hole. You’re truly tremendous, amazing, opposed to occupational and community I own your life, I own your heart, stupendous! issues. Now don’t you wish you’d never start. Believe it with all of your heart! The nucleus of SMART Recovery® is Do You Know How evidence-based theory. Bearing that in mind, I found that these women believed Special You Are? the same thing I had believed: an activity (Author unknown) or substance could and would change the Editor’s Note: While the author of this Prison Outreach way they felt about themselves—and that it poem is unknown, Portia Nelson of Tucson, was worth it. Inasmuch as feelings are the AZ finds it inspirational, and suggested that language of the soul, I think that searching we share it with our readers. outside of oneself to fulfill an essential need is at the crux of addictive activities. You’re not just an age or an hourly wage. You’re more than your e-mail address. Having the opportunity to meet women You’re not just some size or the shape of From Beyond the Walls at such a delicate point of transition, and at your thighs, SMART Recovery® For the Women (and Men) the same time knowing that I have traveled Or the make of the car you possess. by Barry A. Grant a similar yet very much different path, was both enlightening and inspiring. It was You’re not just your PIIN or the shade We see a flat world and are told it is round. awesome to be able to tell them a little of of your skin Most of us learn early not to believe the what Self Management And Recovery Or the place you were born or the date. perceived evidence of our own thoughts. Training means. Unfortunately, I did not You’re not your IQ or the width of But there comes a time when it is more have the chance to present as much infor- your shoe, appropriate to ask questions and review the mation as I would have preferred. I’ll add to Your zip code, your height or your weight. evidence independently. the picture in my role as Correctional You can’t be defined by your zodiac sign In the context of writing from “Beyond Committee Appointee. Or the lines in the palm of your hand. The Walls,” this is significant because it Positively Speaking: In order to come It’s not who you know or the money pertains to my speaking with incarcerated back to your senses, it might be a good idea you owe, to get in contact with reality.

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©2009 ADASHN, Inc., 7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F, Mentor, OH 44060, all rights reserved. All statements regarding self-help in this newsletter are the views of the author and are not an official endorsement of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Self-Help Network, Inc.

SMART Recovery® News & Views Volume 15, Issue 3 • Summer 2009 Page 15