Back when I got sober SMART did not exist. Many years later I attended a few meetings and they were great. I was welcomed and the meeting was outlined. I was told it was OK if I didn't want to give my name or say anything. I got the same warm and caring welcome as I did in AA at the first meetings I attended.

I liked the self empowering approach SMART took towards sobriety. I moved and the closest meetings were 2 and 2 1/2 hours away so face to face meetings were somewhat impractical. I dropped by the forum and online meetings and chat rooms for awhile. Eventually, I stopped doing that as it is not the goal of SMART to attend meetings forever. Overall my experience with SMART was very good.

Thank you Zachary, well the meeting in my area is next week. Maybe I can go and be the one to report back to this thread on how it went in case anyone else may wonder. ;)

The info on the site looked good, thanks! Actually there was so much good and free info and PDF's on working through issues and dealing with things. I really did like what I saw.

(At least if anyone see's this then I'm accountable somewhere.)

I'm hopeful you'll be getting more feedback...Until next week consider googling "urge surfing" it may help with urges. It is helping me quite a bit as I quit smoking recently...

Hi Debbie Days,
SMART Recovery is an awesome support group that bases its philosophy on the premise that the individual is capable of effecting positive changes in their own lives through cognitive changes in our thinking and how we approach life.
As I do, SMART believes that using is a choice and that therefore to stop using is also a choice. Nobody claims that it's an easy choice and there are very legitimate or understandable reasons why people become dependent. The program is based on science, logic and common sense. I've met some of the people from their home office and spoke at their on-line Fall FUNdraiser last fall.
They're good people and their intent is sincere and there methods effective.
I know this is a pro AA site and SMART's philosophies are pretty much a complete opposite, so I won't get into it here. Feel free to "friend" me and ask me any questions that you might have if you wish.
I hope you enjoy the experience and that you find it beneficial to your recovery efforts,
Peace out,
Rolf Ankermann