IMPORTANT COVID UPDATE FOR SMART RECOVERY PARTICIPANTS
For those participating in SMART Recovery meetings, please note the following guidelines and changes as part of Phase 2 of COVID-19 and the gradual re-opening of B.C. and it's businesses:
Please note: if you are at all uncomfortable with attending these meetings in person at this time, you can still attend via Zoom using the link below.
- Smart Recovery Meetings will once again take place at the Center on Tuesdays at 5PM.
- There is a NEW limit of 8 participants.
- We will no longer offer tea, coffee or water, so please bring your own should you desire it.
- Please note that no food is permitted on the facility for the time being.
Please note: if you are at all uncomfortable with attending these meetings in person at this time, you can still attend via Zoom using the link below.
Join us every Tuesday from 5:00PM - 6:00PM at our Happyness Center for FREE. (more details below)
Do you or does someone you know struggle with addiction problems or addictive behavior?
Do you want to take back control of your life and your choices?
Then this program is for you.
Do you want to take back control of your life and your choices?
Then this program is for you.
SMART Recovery is the world’s largest community of mutual support group meetings using science and self empowerment to help people overcome addiction problems with drugs, alcohol and behavior such as gambling. Tens of thousands of people gather weekly at nearly 2,800 meetings in 23 countries,1 including more than 1,600 in the U.S. alone. People anywhere in the world can attend another 30 weekly meetings online with a headset and weblink, and receive support through 24/7 chatrooms and message boards
SMART is designed to help people find the power to change within themselves. The discussion at meetings is centered around the SMART 4-Point Program:
There are specific tools and techniques for each of the program points. Participants are encouraged to learn how to use each tool and to practice the tools and techniques as they progress toward a fulfilling and healthy life. These tools include:
Our SMART Recovery meetings are led by Sri Madhu Sai, who has completed a rigorous 30-hour training course in order to give attendees the best experience with the program as possible.
Meetings are highly interactive, conversational and educational, enabling all participants to share their successes and challenges and receive guidance from others. Meetings are action-oriented, positive and focused on the present and future. These self-empowering discussions include science-based tools that enable participants to become increasingly self-reliant in their efforts to change, and to lead lives that are more meaningful, productive and connected. Participants learn from each other about specific tools and how to apply them in various situations.
We invite you to join us at one (or many) of our upcoming meetings. Within our center and during these meetings you will be able to look at and discuss your struggles without fear, shame or embarrassment. Instead in our space you will find love, acceptance, support and complete confidentiality. You will experience the strength, encouragement and tools that you need to overcome your addition(s) so that you can begin to live a happier and more abundant life.
SMART is designed to help people find the power to change within themselves. The discussion at meetings is centered around the SMART 4-Point Program:
- Build and Maintain Motivation.
- Cope with Urges.
- Manage Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors.
- Lead a Balanced Life.
There are specific tools and techniques for each of the program points. Participants are encouraged to learn how to use each tool and to practice the tools and techniques as they progress toward a fulfilling and healthy life. These tools include:
- Stages of Change
- Change Plan Worksheet
- Cost/Benefit Analysis (Decision Making Worksheet)
- ABC’s of REBT for Urge Coping
- ABC’s of REBT for Emotional Upsets
- DISARM (Destructive Image Self-talk Awareness & Refusal Method)
- Brainstorming
- Role-playing and Rehearsing
- USA (Unconditional Self Acceptance)
- Hierarchy of Values
Our SMART Recovery meetings are led by Sri Madhu Sai, who has completed a rigorous 30-hour training course in order to give attendees the best experience with the program as possible.
Meetings are highly interactive, conversational and educational, enabling all participants to share their successes and challenges and receive guidance from others. Meetings are action-oriented, positive and focused on the present and future. These self-empowering discussions include science-based tools that enable participants to become increasingly self-reliant in their efforts to change, and to lead lives that are more meaningful, productive and connected. Participants learn from each other about specific tools and how to apply them in various situations.
We invite you to join us at one (or many) of our upcoming meetings. Within our center and during these meetings you will be able to look at and discuss your struggles without fear, shame or embarrassment. Instead in our space you will find love, acceptance, support and complete confidentiality. You will experience the strength, encouragement and tools that you need to overcome your addition(s) so that you can begin to live a happier and more abundant life.
Meeting Information
Every Tuesday | 5:00PM - 6:00PM
at our Happyness Center | #203 - 242 Victoria St.
FREE to attend. No registration is required.
General Meeting Outline:
Welcome and Introduction Check-in | 5 min.
Agenda Setting | 15 min
Working Time | 30 min
Check-out and Closing | 5 min
Questions? We would love to connect with you. We are here to help.
madhu@thehappynesscenter.org
at our Happyness Center | #203 - 242 Victoria St.
FREE to attend. No registration is required.
General Meeting Outline:
Welcome and Introduction Check-in | 5 min.
Agenda Setting | 15 min
Working Time | 30 min
Check-out and Closing | 5 min
Questions? We would love to connect with you. We are here to help.
madhu@thehappynesscenter.org
Worried that you won't be able to change? You CAN.
You really can change. The research evidence supports that people really can and do change. We all know people who have stopped harmful habits such as smoking even though all smokers admit that it is very difficult to quit.
It’s important that you believe in your own ability to change. We encourage you to do what you can to support your self-confidence, your faith in yourself, and your hope for the future. If you can’t choose to believe that you can change, then at least reserve your judgement, set aside any negative beliefs, and approach the process of change with an open mind.
Don’t fall into the self-fulfilling prophecy trap. That is, if you predict something, you will tend to make that thing happen. Believing that you can’t change undermines your motivation, effort or willingness to try and leaves you with only the cold comfort and trivial reward of being right when you fail.
Failing to change only proves that you have not yet mastered the skills or built enough motivation. Change is difficult. Change requires strategies, preparation, and knowledge that you might not have yet. Perhaps you have repeatedly tried something that does not work for you rather than trying a new, different approach. Realizing there are many paths to change brings hope.
Change is usually difficult, but not impossible. Your genetics and your upbringing do not determine your behavior. Biology is not destiny. Neither can your history hold you totally in its grip. Even your current environment does not totally control you, though altering or leaving your current environment may make changing your behavior easier.
Change is a process, not an event. You should keep in mind that change does not happen in a flash. Change may start with a flash of awareness, but it continues as a journey. And as with a journey, you had better be prepared to weather the difficulties and setbacks that come along the way.
Setbacks are learning experiences, not proof of failure. In SMART Recovery®, we see slips and lapses as a chance for practicing new skills, not something to be ashamed of. Instead of using a relapse as an excuse to give up and put yourself down, use any setbacks as opportunities to better understand what went wrong and how things might be handled better the next time. Come to a meeting and talk about your slip/relapse, and let everyone help you learn from it.
You really can change. The research evidence supports that people really can and do change. We all know people who have stopped harmful habits such as smoking even though all smokers admit that it is very difficult to quit.
It’s important that you believe in your own ability to change. We encourage you to do what you can to support your self-confidence, your faith in yourself, and your hope for the future. If you can’t choose to believe that you can change, then at least reserve your judgement, set aside any negative beliefs, and approach the process of change with an open mind.
Don’t fall into the self-fulfilling prophecy trap. That is, if you predict something, you will tend to make that thing happen. Believing that you can’t change undermines your motivation, effort or willingness to try and leaves you with only the cold comfort and trivial reward of being right when you fail.
Failing to change only proves that you have not yet mastered the skills or built enough motivation. Change is difficult. Change requires strategies, preparation, and knowledge that you might not have yet. Perhaps you have repeatedly tried something that does not work for you rather than trying a new, different approach. Realizing there are many paths to change brings hope.
Change is usually difficult, but not impossible. Your genetics and your upbringing do not determine your behavior. Biology is not destiny. Neither can your history hold you totally in its grip. Even your current environment does not totally control you, though altering or leaving your current environment may make changing your behavior easier.
Change is a process, not an event. You should keep in mind that change does not happen in a flash. Change may start with a flash of awareness, but it continues as a journey. And as with a journey, you had better be prepared to weather the difficulties and setbacks that come along the way.
Setbacks are learning experiences, not proof of failure. In SMART Recovery®, we see slips and lapses as a chance for practicing new skills, not something to be ashamed of. Instead of using a relapse as an excuse to give up and put yourself down, use any setbacks as opportunities to better understand what went wrong and how things might be handled better the next time. Come to a meeting and talk about your slip/relapse, and let everyone help you learn from it.
