Evidence-based care guides our team's every step. SMART Recovery integrates scientifically proven methods that empower participants to understand their behaviors and make meaningful, lasting changes. Instead of focusing on labels or steps, this approach helps individuals recognize the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Clients learn practical tools for real-world situations, from managing cravings to improving relationships and daily decision-making. These techniques build confidence and self-awareness, essential for long-term recovery and personal growth.

Non-12-step recovery alternatives

SMART Recovery is a non-12-step recovery program, meaning it’s not built around spiritual or religious concepts. It focuses on developing self-reliance and practical problem-solving skills. Participants are encouraged to take ownership of their recovery process while connecting with peers in supportive group settings.

This approach appeals to individuals who want an alternative to traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). SMART Recovery emphasizes:

• Self-empowerment: Participants learn to manage cravings and triggers through science-based techniques
• Personal accountability: Recovery is framed as a series of choices and skills that can be developed over time
• Adaptability: The tools can be applied to any addiction or behavioral issue, from substance use to gambling or unhealthy relationships

At Painted Grove Recovery, SMART Recovery groups are available as part of our therapy programming, giving clients a flexible, evidence-based alternative that aligns with their personal beliefs and goals.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy in SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery draws heavily from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective and widely studied forms of addiction treatment. CBT helps people identify negative thinking patterns that contribute to harmful behaviors and replace them with healthier, more constructive ways of thinking.

Through guided exercises and group discussions, participants learn to:

• Recognize triggers and emotional responses that lead to cravings
• Challenge irrational beliefs about themselves or their addiction
• Develop coping strategies to handle stress, guilt, and anxiety
• Build new habits that support stability and confidence

CBT principles are woven into every stage of care at Painted Grove Recovery, from individual sessions to group therapy. This approach helps clients gain insight and actionable tools they can use long after treatment.

Motivational interviewing techniques

Another key element of SMART Recovery is motivational interviewing, a therapeutic approach focused on helping individuals strengthen their motivation to change. Instead of being told what to do, you're guided to explore your reasons for recovery and define what success truly means.

In practice, this means clinicians and facilitators guide participants through open-ended questions and reflective listening. The goal is to help people identify their values, recognize internal conflicts, and resolve ambivalence about change.

Motivational interviewing helps clients by:

• Building trust and creating a supportive relationship between the client and the therapist
• Helping individuals discover their personal reasons for pursuing recovery
• Encouraging small, achievable steps that lead to meaningful progress
• Strengthening confidence, independence, and a sense of personal responsibility

This compassionate, person-centered approach supports sustainable recovery by helping clients align their actions with what truly matters to them.

Relapse prevention strategies

Relapse prevention is one of the pillars of SMART Recovery. The program equips individuals with tools to anticipate challenges, manage high-risk situations, and recover quickly if setbacks occur. Rather than viewing relapse as failure, SMART Recovery teaches participants to analyze what happened, learn from it, and adapt their plan moving forward.

Some of the most effective relapse prevention tools include:

• Urge tracking: Monitoring triggers and emotional states that precede cravings
• Coping plans: Developing strategies to handle stress or social pressure
• Lifestyle balance: Incorporating wellness, relationships, and personal growth into daily routines
• Ongoing peer support: Staying connected through meetings or recovery coaching

With the support of structured care at Painted Grove Recovery, clients build resilience and confidence to sustain long-term sobriety.

Addiction recovery and mental health are deeply connected. Many people struggling with substance use also experience depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns. We take a whole-person approach that recognizes these connections and addresses both sides of recovery.

Through SMART Recovery, clients learn to manage emotions more effectively and respond to stress without turning to substances. Integrating evidence-based therapies and emotional support promotes mental wellness and long-term stability.

Behavioral health and addiction counseling

Behavioral health and addiction counseling are integrated within SMART Recovery. Clients explore how past experiences, beliefs, and thought patterns influence current behaviors. Counselors use CBT and MI tools to help clients reshape these patterns in a supportive environment.

Counseling sessions focus on:

• Building emotional awareness and regulation skills
• Strengthening communication and relationship skills
• Exploring underlying trauma or unresolved stressors
• Developing realistic recovery goals

This approach helps individuals stop using substances and rediscover meaning and purpose in their lives.

Peer support and recovery coaching

One of SMART Recovery's greatest strengths is its emphasis on peer connection. In group sessions, participants share insights, celebrate milestones, and learn from one another’s experiences. This kind of mutual support helps reduce feelings of isolation and builds a sense of belonging.

Painted Grove Recovery incorporates peer support and recovery coaching into its programs to enhance accountability and encouragement. Clients benefit from:

• Group discussions guided by trained facilitators
• Opportunities to mentor others and share experiences
• Coaching focused on goal-setting, motivation, and relapse prevention
• A supportive community that continues beyond treatment

These peer connections often become a cornerstone of sustained recovery and mental wellness.

Self-management techniques for mental wellness

The “Self-Management” part of SMART Recovery’s name highlights its goal of helping individuals take control of their lives and their recovery. Participants develop practical tools to handle challenges, manage moods, and build daily habits that promote stability.

Common self-management skills taught in SMART Recovery include:

• Goal setting: Creating clear, achievable steps toward a balanced life
• Problem-solving: Breaking down challenges into manageable actions
• Mindfulness and reflection: Staying present and self-aware during stressful times
• Emotional regulation: Recognizing and adjusting emotional responses before they lead to relapse

These skills are reinforced throughout therapy and group sessions, empowering clients to take ownership of their healing journey and maintain wellness after discharge.

Education and continued support are vital parts of recovery. Painted Grove Recovery provides resources and tools to help SMART Recovery participants continue their growth long after formal treatment ends. From local groups to educational materials and community engagement, we encourage clients to stay connected and informed.