[Guest Blog by Gus Curran, SMART's Director of Training]
When I began to attend SMART Recovery meetings back in 2016, I was glad to learn it was an abstinence-based program. I was looking to quit drinking entirely; based on my many failed attempts, I knew in my heart that moderation was not an option for me. But I’ll admit I was confused after a few meetings. Not everyone was abstaining in the way I understood it. For example, a person with a heroin addiction was on medication assisted treatment (MAT), someone else was continuing to occasionally drink but taking the urge-curbing drug naltrexone, and a person who was quitting Crystal Meth used cannabis to get to sleep. I remember wondering- are these people abstaining?
SMART Recovery USA has always been about “The Power of Choice,” and yet those who choose something other than 100% abstinence may have had their chosen goal called into question.
SMART’s position on abstinence as the only solution to an addictive problem has been evolving over time. Initially, the organization's language emphasized an "abstinence-oriented" approach, which later became "abstinence-based," a term seen by many as more rigid and potentially creating a power imbalance in meetings. In 2020, the language reverted to "abstinence-oriented," aiming to allow participants to reduce or eliminate harmful behaviors in ways that were meaningful to them.
Then, in 2022, the SMART Recovery Board of Directors took another step with a new statement emphasizing participant autonomy in choosing their goals. This evolution underscores a commitment to harm reduction, personal growth, and meeting participants where they are.
If this is all news to you, you’re not alone. There was a blog from Bill Greer in 2020 explaining the move back to Abstinence-Oriented. The SMART Recovery USA site “About Us” section was updated in 2022, removing all references to abstinence and including more inclusive language around meeting people where they are and empowering them to discover their own goals, and making sure they feel welcome at the meeting- even if their goal is not abstinence.
But it wasn’t until 2024 that SMART Recovery USA started to implement these changes into our materials. We offered sessions and keynotes on Harm Reduction at our 2024 Annual Conference, and Executive Director Pete Rubinas shared an update and hosted a town hall in June. The Participant Handbook, online training, and Facilitator materials on Volunteer HQ are all being updated with a goal of completion by the end of 2024.
As someone deeply involved in SMART Recovery, first as a participant, then as a volunteer facilitator, and now as Director of Training, I have been exploring my own abstinence bias. At first, the concept of harm reduction felt almost like a contradiction to the goals I’ve long championed, especially when it seemed to veer away from the clarity and safety I find in abstinence.
However, I’ve come to realize that abstinence and harm reduction are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they can coexist in a way that empowers individuals to make meaningful progress on their journey. When we embrace a harm reduction mindset, we allow people the space to decide what recovery looks like for them, whether that means complete abstinence, gradual reduction, or something in between. This flexibility can help participants feel more welcome and less overwhelmed by the prospect of change.
I’ve come to understand that by honoring where someone is in their journey, we are offering the most compassionate support we can. It’s not about lowering standards or endorsing harmful behaviors; it’s about recognizing that recovery is not linear, and that the path to personal empowerment looks different for everyone.
Through this lens, abstinence becomes not a rigid destination, but one potential outcome among many positive steps that individuals can take to improve their lives. Harm reduction provides the framework to achieve incremental progress, offering hope and dignity to those who feel they can’t make the leap to abstinence right away. And, perhaps most importantly, it acknowledges that progress is still progress—no matter what form it takes.
There is growing research that supports the effectiveness of harm reduction approaches in addiction recovery, depending on the individual’s needs and goals. This approach is more flexible, has been found to improve overall-wellbeing, reduce risky behavior, and lower the barrier to entry to recovery by removing the abstinence requirement.
This shift has helped me reframe my understanding of success in recovery. It’s no longer about achieving a single goal of abstinence but about supporting people in making healthier, more empowering choices at their own pace.
After months of reading, researching, and working with volunteers in our SMART Meeting Management weekday trainings, I’ve come to understand that embracing harm reduction doesn’t change SMART Recovery’s values or mine—it expands them. This approach is about empowerment, choice, and inclusivity.
As we expand our approach and update our materials, I’m confident SMART Recovery will become even more effective in reaching and supporting a wider range of people. By offering a path that honors individual goals and recognizes that every step forward is progress, we can break down barriers to recovery. Let’s continue to grow together and ensure SMART Recovery remains a space where everyone feels welcomed and empowered to pursue their own journey to a healthier life.
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In writing this blog, I used the following as key references.
Undoing Drugs, How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addiction, Maia Szalavitz (Note: I highly recommend this book!)
Psychology Today: Abstinence VS Harm Reduction Treatment: Which is Best?
Pathways to Housing PA: Are Harm Reduction and 12 Step Recovery Really That Different?
SMART Recovery’s FAQs on Harm Reduction for Facilitators
SMART Recovery USA About Us Page.