We’re thrilled to announce the release of the 2nd Edition of the SMART Family & Friends Participant Handbook! This updated resource offers a deeper, more integrated approach to understanding and applying concepts and tools that support the wellbeing and effectiveness of family members and friends of someone struggling with an addictive behavior.
The handbook now includes select tools from the Invitation to Change (ITC) approach, a compassionate and evidence-based framework developed by CMC: Foundation for Change. ITC emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and understanding, a perfect complement to the existing tools grounded in SMART and CRAFT.
Several core Family & Friend tools have been renamed or refined to clarify their purpose. For example:
Change Motivation Assessment is now Check your readiness to change
PIUS is now PIVA (Positive Framing; I-Statements; Validate what you can; Ask how you can help)
Enabling Questionnaire has become Who are you helping?
Other familiar exercises have a new standard tool format and layout for further clarity of use.
Several new tools have been added to help you communicate more effectively, reduce conflict, and prioritize your own well-being. These include:
Practice self-compassion
Simply listen
Create affirmations
Explore ambivalence
Pause and allow
These tools are designed to help people manage their emotions, stay grounded, and build stronger connections with others.
Recognizing the emotional toll that addiction can have on families and friends, this edition dives deeper into self-compassion and self-care techniques. You’ll find new guidance on how to care for yourself while staying present and supportive of your loved one—without losing your own sense of balance and peace.
While the content has been expanded, the structure remains familiar. Each chapter continues to focus on building one core skill at a time, allowing for steady, meaningful growth. Whether you're attending meetings, facilitating, or working through the book on your own, this layout supports your journey without overwhelm.
Several chapters have been carefully restructured to improve both flow and accessibility. These changes help participants build skills in a more logical and cohesive way, making it easier to absorb key concepts and apply them in real-life situations. Notable updates include:
“The ABC's of REBT” and “Beliefs and Disputations” have been merged into one streamlined chapter: "Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors." This chapter now aligns more closely with SMART Recovery Point 3 and offers a more integrated look at how our thinking influences our emotions and behaviors.
The former chapter “Positive Communication” is now two distinct chapters: "Positive Communication" and "Reflective Listening." This change allows for a deeper exploration of non-verbal cues, listening techniques, and Motivational Interviewing tools.
The previously separate chapters “Healthy Boundaries Part I” and “Part II” have been consolidated into one: "Setting and Protecting Healthy Boundaries." This allows for a more concise and cohesive discussion of this essential topic.
The new SMART Family & Friends Participant Handbook more accurately reflects who we are today as an organization and community: always growing, learning, and finding better ways to support one another based on the latest research and science. We hope you'll find that this new edition feels like a conversation, not a lecture. It’s your recovery, your way!
We’ve put together a “What’s New Guide” to make navigating the 2nd Edition of the Participant Handbook easier, find it HERE. This quick-reference tool matches old tool names to their new versions, highlights what’s been added, and points you to the right pages to find everything fast. Whether you're a longtime facilitator or a returning participant, it’s a great way to see what’s changed and what’s brand new, all in one place.