Odyssey’s Women’s SMART Recovery Group in Werribee has been achieving some great outcomes for participants. The first of its kind in Werribee, it’s been running weekly for just over a year now.
SMART Recovery is an evidence-based recovery method grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), that supports people to gain control of their addictive behaviours. It differs from programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous in that it is a secular alternative that promotes self-empowerment and choice as opposed to a step-by-step one size fits all program.
Sessions start with 10-15 minutes of meditation to help participants relax. This is followed by a check-in where participants share what they are currently feeling and experiencing. It’s then up to the group to determine the topic for the day’s discussion. Everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas before consensus is gained. At the check-out at the end of the session participants talk about what they got out of the session and set a SMART goal for the coming week.
Topics of discussion are often determined by what women may be facing in the coming week. For example how to manage alcohol urges and cravings at an upcoming family wedding.
Whilst the group is facilitated by an OV clinician, it is very much participant led. Each person is the expert on their own life. Participants share practical strategies and experiences and support each other without judgement. Group support and encouragement is key to its success.
Every session features laughter, crying and celebrating individual achievements. One participant has now been abstinent for four months. Another reported back to the group recently that she enjoyed lunch at her local RSL with a friend without drinking alcohol.
For many clients, abstinence is not always an immediate goal. Harm reduction approaches such as the SMART Recovery Group take a realistic and practical approach. The focus is to reduce the adverse effects of harms of substance use and reinforce the positive changes a client wants to make.
Werribee’s Women’s SMART Recovery Group is flexible in supporting women at different stages of their recovery journey.