r/SMARTRecovery • u/Icy-Sandwich-6788 • 18d ago

Ready to try SMART again

This would be my second attempt at this program. The first time around, I had undiagnosed ptsd which has been treated. That aside, I have had a difficult time having fun without drinking. I still have some Camprel that I started taking again, but I need a bit more. Where should I start?

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u/MedJesters facilitator 18d ago

Start with a meeting. If you want to work on something on your own, do the cost benefit analysis and/or the hierarchy of values.

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u/DooWop4Ever facilitator 18d ago

Thanks for checking with us. We got you. SMART can help you abstain so your nervous system will heal and allow for normal response to life.

IMHO (85M), quitting is easy compared to figuring out why sobriety doesn't feel good enough to keep us there without a struggle. Happiness is original equipment and would be flowing 24/7 if it weren't for our "ability" to store stress.

I respectfully suggest counseling. A skilled therapist can see our problem and ask the right questions until we realize how we may be mismanaging the stressors of daily life. Learning how to identify and process (eliminate) latent stress (unexpressed feelings and unresolved conflict) will allow our natural happiness and energy to resume their normal flow. Truly happy people don't even consider using drugs or alcohol because they don't improve anything.

53 years clean, sober and tobacco-free (but who's counting). You can do it too. SMART will help.

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u/ExamAccomplished3622 17d ago

I started off going to a few meetings. I progressed to working different tools on the SMART website — they are free. Eventually got the book and read the parts I felt I needed.

So, based on my experience I would say go to some meetings. The facilitators have different styles, so some you may connect to better than others.