Program Reviews

Overcoming Addictions and SMART Recovery

Program Overview

Overcoming Addictions (OA) is an interactive online program designed to help problematic substance users achieve and maintain abstinence. SMART Recovery® (SR) is a self-help addiction recovery support program that includes online resources and in-person support groups. OA and SR can be used together, alone, or in addition to other addiction treatment programs.

OA encourages abstinence from substances based on the same four basic concepts as SR: 1) enhancing and maintaining motivation, 2) coping with urges, 3) managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and 4) living a balanced life. It is interactive, engaging, tailored, and self-directed. SR promotes recovery from a variety of addictions, including substances, gambling, and other compulsive behaviors. It is comprised of numerous online tools and resources, as well as in-person support groups nationwide.

Link to commercial site here.

Delivery:
Web-based
Community Support Groups

Theoretical Approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Target Substance(s):
Alcohol
Drugs
Other addictions (e.g., gambling)

Target Outcome(s):
Abstinence
Use-Related Problems

Ages:
Young Adults (18-30)
Adults (30+)

Genders:
Male
Female

Races/Ethnicities:
Caucasian
Hispanic
Other

Setting:
Remote Access

Geographic Location:
Unspecified

Country:
USA

Language:
English

Evaluations

  • Hester, RK, Lenberg, KL, Campbell, W, Delaney, HD. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2013;15(7):e134. PMCID: PMC3713880.

    Summary: This is a randomized trial examining OA and SR to see if the combination of the two is more effective than either intervention alone. Participants were adult problem drinkers, recruited through the SR website and blog, and through SR community support groups, assigned to OA only (n=19), OA + SR (n=83), and SR only (n=87). Assessments were conducted at baseline and three months later, and focused on self-reported drinking behavior (i.e., percent of days abstinent and mean drinks per drinking day) and drinking-related consequences.

    All three groups showed significant improvement on all measures, and effect sizes were large, indicating the changes were clinically meaningful. There were no differences between the groups.

    Take Away: OA and SR, either alone or in combination, appear to be effective in helping people increase abstinence and decrease drinking and drinking-related consequences.