SMART Recovery USA

02/25/2026

Karen Bernetti is founder of Mindful Family Recovery and is a SMART Recovery Family & Friends Facilitator. In the latest SMART podcast, she shares her own recovery journey and how she tries to help families in both practical and emotional ways as they navigate a loved one's struggle with addictive behaviors. https://smartrecovery.libsyn.com/helping-family-friends-in-recovery

02/23/2026

This recent article by WGBH news in Boston about the positive impact spirituality can have in recovery includes a perspective from SMART's Executive Director Pete Rubinas, “I think the key thing for us is that people have the freedom to choose the language and the belief systems that work for them that align with their values." Read the article here: https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2026-02-18/spiritually-active-people-are-less-likely-to-abuse-substances-harvard-study-says

Researchers at the T.H. Chan School of Public Health published findings in JAMA Psychiatry that shows that people who attend religious services or pray are 13% less likely to misuse drugs, alcohol or to***co.

02/20/2026

Whether online or in-person, SMART's free mutual support meetings are accessible to all. We are adding new meetings across the country constantly, just put your city & state into our meeting finder https://smartrecovery.org/meeting
Here is list of newest meetings by type:
Family & Friends meetings: Delta, CO and Delta Junction, AK.

Standard 4-Point Meetings: Bowling Green, KY; Alderson, WV; Madison Heights, MI; Oak Park, IL; Greenville, SC; Annandale, VA; Idaho Falls, ID; Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Jacksonville, FL; Glen Burnie, MD; Beckley, WV; Plover, WI; Warsaw, NY; Missoula, MT; San Francisco, CA; High Point, NC; Delray Beach, FL; Rohnert Park, CA; Oregon City, OR; New Britain, CT; Merrill, WI; Hazard, KY; Palm Springs, CA; Howell, MI; and Greeley, CO.

BIPOC meeting: Philadelphia, PA

Women only meeting: Glen Burnie, MD

Military, Veterans & First Responders meeting: Galesville, WI

College meeting: Conway, AR.

02/19/2026

Are you kidding me??!! The SMART conference starts in 48 days (actually 47 if you include the great preconference session with ). So take another look at your schedule and see if you can join us! All details here, including speakers, workshops, events and more: www.smartrecovery.org/conference

02/17/2026

A wonderful reflection on what kindness means by SMART's Director of Outreach Jasmine Hilbert. https://smartrecovery.org/blog/small-acts-of-kindness

Helping others through SMART Recovery is a positive experience for all.

02/16/2026

SMART is proud to be a sponsor of this film event focused on Family & Friends recovery support. If you are in Northeast Ohio (or perhaps visiting to ski?) you might want to check it out!

02/13/2026

Insightful article by SMART facilitator and public radio producer Morgan D. Stewart about finding the tools and support she needed in her recovery journey, and how Wisconsin is connected to the origins of SMART. https://www.wpr.org/culture/putting-the-art-in-smart-recovery Wisconsin SMART Recovery Wisconsin Public Radio

There are over 20 million Americans in recovery from addictive behaviors and funding for treatment isn’t always available. This leaves volunteer-run nonprofits to help fill the gaps, like SMART Recovery. Producer Morgan D. Stewart explores its Wisconsin roots.

02/11/2026

Did you know that there are 19 breakout sessions packed into SMART's upcoming conference across two days?? And ALL of them have been carefully selected and organized to offer maximum delivery of theoretical knowledge and practical applications. There is content for a wide variety of attendees: volunteers, peer professionals, family & friends advocates, clinical professionals, and recovery coaches. Find the agenda and more at www.smartrecovery.org/conference and consider joining us!

02/09/2026

Joel Walkowski is a SMART facilitator in New York City and is a huge advocate for using our practical tools to effectively guide recovery. He is also the author of a new memoir called Honolulu Blues that uses the personal lens of a love for a (mostly) losing football team to explore themes of generational trauma, substance addiction, and the desire to change. In the latest SMART Podcast, Joel shares his personal struggles and ultimate embrace of what it takes to become the person you wish to be. https://smartrecovery.libsyn.com/smart-tools-changed-my-life-with-joel-walkowski

02/05/2026

Not only are more participants signing up for our April conference (https://favoredconferencesandevents.regfox.com/smart-recovery-national-conference-2026), sponsors are getting on board, and there's still room for more! There will be dynamic keynote speakers, engaging workshops, and plenty of networking opportunities! Find out more at the link above and join us!

02/03/2026

Honoring the accomplishments and contributions of so many this Black History Month! The 2026 theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations," focusing on the 100-year history of celebrating Black history. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is considered the founders of Black History Month, find out more: https://asalh.org/

02/02/2026

SMART Recovery meetings continue to start across the country, below is a list of new meeting locations. If you're curious about our self-empowered recovery pathway, feel free to check out an online or in-person meeting by putting your City/State into our meeting finder: https://meetings.smartrecovery.org

Family and Friends meetings: Clinton Twp, MI; Ann Arbor, MI; Elkton, MD; Nashville, IL; Syracuse, NY.

Standard 4-Point meetings: Pembroke, NC; Memphis, TN; Tustin, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Farwell, MI; Elkton, MD; Neptune City, NJ; Columbus, OH; Brownsville, TX; Owosso, MI; Hopewell, VA; Akron, OH; Mechanicsburg, PA; Beaverton, MI; Gladwin, MI; Columbus, WI; Portage, WI; Waukegan, IL; Phoenix, AZ.

Women only meetings: Sarasota, FL and Clarksburg, WV

Teen meetings (13-17): Clinton Twp, MI