SMART Recovery USA

04/27/2026

This latest blog post concludes facilitator Rick Kuplinski's series breaking down SMART's Cost-Benefit Analysis tool. Rick did an excellent job exploring all the facets of using this tool and advancing recovery in a positive direction! https://smartrecovery.org/blog/making-life-changes-desired-benefits-and-potential-costs

The Cost Benefit Analysis tool is helpful to individuals in recovery who want to figure out how to make changes in their behavior.

04/22/2026

On the latest SMART Recovery podcast https://smartrecovery.libsyn.com/recovery-is-best-not-done-alone, we have a conversation with John Hayes, the Chief Executive Officer of Never Alone Recovery, an organization that connects individuals and families seeking help for addiction recovery with information, resources, and treatment options. They firmly believe that recovery is not one-size-fits-all and support multiple pathways to healing.

Find the episode here or check your favorite streaming platform: https://smartrecovery.libsyn.com/recovery-is-best-not-done-alone To find a SMART meeting use our SMARTfinder: https://meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/

04/20/2026

An article worth reading about the SMART Recovery Family & Friends program. It features Anne DeMarzo, a Family and Friends facilitator in Staten Island NY who is also a member of the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force. She notes that she became a facilitator, "To bridge the massive gap between the gold standard of care provided by SMART Recovery versus traditional strategies..." Thank you for the work you do Anne!

https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2026/04/with-empathetic-program-staten-islander-hopes-to-make-families-into-an-army-fighting-addiction-in-their-own-homes.html

An advocate says loved ones of people struggling with addiction are “the single largest untapped workforce here in Staten Island."

04/16/2026

A lovely moment at the recent national conference capturing three illuminaries in the field! From L-R are SMART co-founder Dr. Joseph Gerstein, researcher Dr. Peter Kelly of UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia, and Center for Motivation and Change Co-founder Carrie Wilkens, PhD. Thanks to all of you for being part of our movement!

04/15/2026

While it would be possible to post SMART Conference 2026 pictures for a couple of weeks straight, we'll restrain ourselves to just a few more in the coming days. This group shot is of the SMART national office team that attended in-person. From L-R are Gus Curran, Leah McSween, Melina Gilbert, Pete Rubinas, Luke Frazier, Tammy Ginader, Steve Kind, and Mary Srivastava (Alena Kuplinski had to catch a flight). The ENTIRE national office team, in attendance or not, worked incredibly hard to put on a powerful conference that provided so many educational and inspirational moments! So proud to be on the team!

04/13/2026

A selection of SMART Conference 2026 participants gathered for a parting photo last Friday. Feedback on the speakers, workshops, networking, and beauty of being able to join together in person to celebrate our self-empowered movement was overwhelmingly positive!

04/10/2026

Such a strong message delivered today at SMART Conference 2026 by Stephen Murray, Director of the SafeSpot Overdose Hotline at Boston Medical Center. He helped us reframe our ideas about substance use, overdose prevention, and harm reduction and challenged us to grow. thanks for being here Stephan!

04/10/2026

An amazing keynote was delivered today at our conference by Cherene Caraco of focusing on radical leadership and speaking truth to power! Thanks for being with us Cherene!

04/10/2026

Also receiving awards today at the SMART Conference were Lindsay Rossiter, the winner of the SMART Empowerment for All Award. Lindsay is a SMART Facilitator and Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in Northfield Ohio. Congratulations Lindsay, you are an inspiration for all! The Science Award was given to Dr. John Kelly of , who was not able to attend the ceremony.

04/10/2026

Besides great networking and plenty of educational workshops at today's conference, there was also an awards luncheon sponsored by our friends at Pathminder LLC. Pictured below is Kristi Porter (right) with Pete Rubinas. She is the winner of the Joseph Gerstein Award for Exceptional Service to SMART Recovery. Kristi is the Volunteer Support Coordinator for San Diego and the Co-Chair of the Volunteer Support Committee. Congratuations Kristi!

04/09/2026

This morning's keynote speakers at our conference were Australian researcher Dr. Pete Kelly (https://lnkd.in/ennF6qJf), who spoke about the growing body of research around the positive impact of mutual support groups and Center for Motivation and Change Co-founder Carrie Wilkens PhD, who talked about supporting change in families.

04/09/2026

Hearing from so many great speakers already at SMART Conference 2026! First, SMART's Executive Director Pete Rubinas and Florida State Representative Anna V. Eskamani (https://lnkd.in/ejN8hEPp) from Orlando welcomed participants and set the stage for two days of great information and networking.