SMART & SOS

I finally gave in to curiosity and began looking into these two addiction support groups. Both are non-secular (as opposed to NA/ AA).

The first, SMART, was started in the early 90's a states it has a "scientific approach" to recovery. They've got a very nice website, clear and concise. Needless to say, I'm intrigued.

The second SOS...oh my God! I tried to log into their site and was hit by so many advertisements and "prizes" that I could barely navigate. I finally gave up in disgust.

What little I could gather is that they were founded in the early 80's and they seem to be AA recovery without the words "God" or "higher power". They claim to not be a non 12 step program, but from what little I could tell through the crowded, confusing home page and the blitzkrieg of advertisements is this may not be true.

If anyone has the time to brave through all the junk to find out more, let me know!

[Laura1122]

I'm going to check it now and will let you know. I'm all for AA NA etc. if it helps ppl. For me,  was there for someone else, it just seemed too religious to me. but what works for some, doesnt for the other. I'll let you know abut those sights in a few, as long as my laptop doent cunker out again!

[GoingToMakeIt]

I use the Mozilla Firefox browser. I then add an add on called Adblock plus. It blocks most ads and popups. It's great.

[IBKleen]

Someone is using Firefox? OH..OH...I love it....I have a friend..LOL

[GoingToMakeIt]

One has to spread the joy. Microsoft gets too much credit sometimes. The new IE browser has some of the features (Tabs) that I've enjoyed for years. I love that you can delete all your history and not lose any passwords. (settings) You can even have it done when you close it.
And yes, you are a friend. LOL

[Laura1122]

ok, i checked them out, not for long, signed up with smart, tried to sign in to the message boards kept telling me i could not access taht area, alth i did everything they said to do. sos i had a hard time getting around and gave up. startign to feel bad after last 5mg. perc. yesterday at noon. getting the upset stomach thing and feel like crying cause i dont want to go thru this sh*t again. have a good day.

[Savas]

Ah, so it wasn't just me. I'm surprised, they have a pretty big membership from what I hear (20,000+) and have been around for thirty years. You think they'd have their act together internet-wise. (SOS, that is).

SMART didn't even require an e-mail verification. You had trouble on the m-boards? Hmmm...maybe they really mean it when they say you have to read that FAQs first. I did, it had a "Cute" video from the founder. My one problem is he states;

"We aren't a 12 step group, not religious, but like AA we accept our powerlessness"...and THEN he states the exact opposite a second later! saying; "You're addiction is YOUR responsibility and you choose how you live your life. You have inside you what you need to fight being an addict." (This is a summation, btw)

So...I suppose I'll go back and try to figure out which one it is.

(Oh, I have internet browser...as long as it doesn't quack like a duck i'm happy! :)   )

[GoingToMakeIt]

If it walks like a duck......
Happy Holidays, savas.

[NewLeaf]

Has anyone looked at the site Rational Recovery?

Interesting

www .  rational . org /

Not supporting one way or the other, just found it interesting.....

[jenny8575309]

Have you guys tried AA or NA?  Just curious, if you did, what is it that you don't like about it?

[Savas]

No matter how you slice it luv, NA/AA are faith/God oriented systems. The groups I've been to seemed to have a very BAC attitude.

I personally don't care for the entire "powerlessness" belief system as well. It goes against my own religious beliefs. From what I've seen SMART has a more compatible belief system for me. But I'm still new to it, so I'll just have to see.

[tzt2lady]

I was in NA for almost 20 years.   There are plenty of atheists and agnostics there.  Some people make their higher power the "energy" of the group that makes people stay clean.   I got clean with 3 people who now have about 22 years clean each, so it does work.  None of the 3 has stepped foot inside a church, nor have they read the bible,but there are parts of the AA book that are derived from both the bible and "reality therapy".  
The powerlessness concept doesnt mean people are just limp biscuits with no control.  It is my understanding that it just means that once our addiction is released through using drugs, it takes over our lives, leaving us little or no choice because we become slaves to the drug.  Also, powerless means that we "respect" our addiction and stay away from slippery people, places and things.   For example, if I hang with people who use I have a greater chance of using and if I use, I will take it too the hilt and go into full blown active addiction again.
Im not going to NA anymore but may go to pills anonymous at some point.  
Id like to learn more about SMART and SOS.

[Savas]

Yeah, I've heard your interpretation of this and I think it's great. The problem is when I go to a meeting, generally those there are NOT thinking in those terms. So if I found a group with your attitude I'd be there with bells on (nice tinkly ones! :)  ).

One of the facilitators (those who run the meetings) explained to me that they view it this way;

"When your on a "binge", then you're powerless to stop what you're doing. But the moment you stop/ step back, you have the strength to take control of the situation."

I take "strength" to be interpreted as inner strength as well as help you'd get from friends, family, groups, etc...

[Louhoo]

I get ya. I don't want to get in too deep, but, finding strength within yourself doesn't have to envolve a religion. Knowing cause and effect and really educating yourself gives you great power. Reading your posts and responses has really helped me, you are a wise man. Thank you.

[marcatj]

..hang in there.. it will get better, I promise you.

you have to just hold on to that thought: because it's true.  a couple rough days out of a lifetime.. is nothing.

just hang on girl.  it passes in a couple days... and the crying and emotional stuff is NORMAL. and it passes...

warmly,
mj

[Savas]

Sometimes I even take my own advice. :)

I'm going to try to get to one of their meetings but the drawback to them being smaller and newer is they only have a few a week (and that's in NYC!). So, I'll let you know what it's like, whoever is interested.

[Louhoo]

Yeah I would like to know what it's like. I've been to a few  AA / NA meetings in my area, I tried different ones, and I really couldn't get into it. Maybe it was b/c they were all so crowded, I don't know. Anyway, let me know how it goes.