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Mercy Bell’s relationship with alcohol started in college as a way to thwart the uneasiness she felt inside. It led her to a “recovery or else” situation. She used multiple paths and experiences along her journey to recovery. Today, Mercy is the co-owner of Sober Voices and Sourcing Voices, with Alyssa Hart. Their mission is “to amplify and celebrate all voices and all experiences on the journey of recovery and mental health”, especially college students, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC. In this podcast, Mercy talks about: Having a “high bottom” that most people couldn’t see and using many paths to recovery Serendipitously meeting Alyssa Hart who was creating an online sober event, FLOW Being a “buffet grazer” of recovery Being impressed with the technology and ecosystem Alyssa was using for a grassroots style recovery movement during the pandemic The inspiration to start Sober Voices for online recovery events and Sourcing Voices, the technology platform where recovery content lives Why having a diversity of voices and stories is key to having people relate and connect The mission of Sober Voices and why they chose to use the words Amplify and Celebrate Finding SMART while planning for FLOW 2021 The future goals for Sober Voices and Sourcing Voices

Alex Colyer realized she really didn’t know about addiction and recovery after losing her best friend Reed McGregor to an overdose in January 2021. To honor Reed’s memory and legacy, Alex started the Albertus Project, a nonprofit organization that is transforming the way the world views addiction. In this podcast, Alex talks about: Holding old, stigmatized views of addiction—without knowing the truth What Reed McGregor meant to so many people around the world How the world doesn’t show compassion to people with addictions That addiction isn’t who people are, but something they have Starting to do research but not finding the answers to her questions Turning tragedy into action by founding the Albertus Project The goals and values of the organization Pulling the Me’s into the conversation Giving people a voice with the Humans of Addiction stories Learning about SMART and the Family & Friends program That money shouldn’t stand in the way of a person’s recovery and the initiatives the Albertus Project have in place to help How her views on harm reduction changed with a simple analogy

Steve Kind of Mankato, Minnesota, is a SMART Facilitator and new SMART employee. His alcohol struggles began in high school and continued into adulthood. After his second DUI, he was about to lose everything, including his wife. Then an open-minded, forward-thinking counselor suggested he look into SMART as a new path to recovery. Now he is living his Life Beyond Addiction.   In this podcast, Steve talks about: His struggle with alcohol addiction and the 12-Step recovery process How his views on driving under the influence have changed over the years Being a defensive Christian and then an Atheist Being introduced to SMART and watching a Jonathan von Breton YouTube video What came from traveling 70 miles to attend a SMART meeting Sitting in a meeting room by himself and waiting for participants The word-of-mouth “snowball effect” Writing a book about his life: The Inspirational Dissatisfaction How a job in California almost cost him everything Getting off the couch and changing your life!

Courts everywhere have mandated that secular, evidence-based addiction treatments, like SMART Recovery, must be offered to individuals as alternatives to 12-Step and other faith-based programs, if they so choose. Much of this is largely thanks to the tireless work of individuals like Sarah Levin. Sarah is founder and principal of Secular Strategies, a firm specializing in defending the separation of church and state, advocating for religious freedom for all, and empowering nonreligious constituencies. A graduate of American University in Washington D.C., Sarah works on behalf of SMART Recovery on state government relations matters, under the direction of David Koss, SMART Recovery’s Director of Government Relations and current Board Member.

Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), recently published an article in Health Affairs Magazine that many in the recovery community consider “a game changer” in how it challenged received wisdom and old assumptions in the treatment of addicted individuals. In this interview, Dr. Tom Horvath, co-founder of SMART Recovery, assesses the article’s impact and how it may change the face of the recovery landscape forever.

Alex received his first video game station at the age of two. His love and eventual addiction to video gaming continued throughout his life. It wasn’t until recently that Alex found SMART Recovery, and has made positive changes to his life and began managing his problematic behavior. In this interview, Alex talks about: His dad buying him a VecTrex at two years old The progression of gaming systems and how the technology over time The “water cooler” conversations around new video games First realizing that there was an issue with gaming when he didn’t “grow out of it” The “Just Say No to Drugs” PSAs being counterproductive in video games The opportunity cost of continuing to play video games Video gaming addiction characteristics Trying other recovery programs, then finding SMART The ways SMART talks about addiction and the nuances for helping each person differently How the pandemic affected his addiction Knowing he can’t keep throwing his life away

Alicia Renegar is a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach and SMART Facilitator in Columbus, Indiana. As a gay woman, she faced much adversity and discrimination throughout her life. She shares how she has turned this negativity into strength and is helping others on their path to recovery.   In this podcast, she talks about: The challenges and discrimination she faced from administrators and peers during her school years How people’s fear of change impacts their decisions and attitudes towards what they perceive as different Her parents being very supportive and giving her a solid foundation to be who she is The journey to becoming herself How her deep-seated trauma pushed through and ultimately led to her addiction Volunteering then working for ASAP Hub Finding SMART and taking the facilitator training course Starting an LGBTQIA+ meeting in Columbus, Indiana Why SMART resonates with people The proudest moment of her life was becoming a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach The obstacles and dangers of being an LGBTQIA+ activist

Maia Szalavitz is an award-winning, best-selling author and opinion writer, whose focus is on changing the narrative of addiction and recovery. Two of her books Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction and Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction, are among a long list of publications that address this issue. In this podcast, she talks about: Her New York Times opinion piece about Oregon decriminalizing drug possession How external force undermines internal motivation How the Black Lives Matter Movement shows the racial disparities in the justice system That criminal drug laws aren’t based on science and how emotions are decision algorithms The debate over decriminalization is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what actually works Explaining the analogy of addiction to that of falling in love or having a baby; people do crazy things People with addiction are not lazy, they are hurting Trying to punish our way out of addiction is not the answer Why it’s important to meet people where they are and welcome them to treatment Not calling doctor prescribed medication Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) Why we need more expansive definitions of recovery How chronic pain patients are being negatively affected by the opioid epidemic

Dr. Nora Volkow recently spoke to the SMART Recovery community about the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) holistic approach to helping those with substance use issues. As a follow up to that conversation, we talked with Dr. Wilson Compton, Deputy Director of NIDA and Dr. Will Aklin, Director of the Behavioral Therapy Development Program, about research on the health aspects and treatment of substance use disorders. In this podcast, they talk about: How their college professors got them excited and passionate about careers in scientific research Medications that help with various addictions, including a new focus on stimulant use disorders Bridging the gap between treatment and recovery Individualized, personal treatments Examples of harm reduction measures Creating a net positive to society The four pillars of overdose strategy: primary prevention, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment, and recovery support Explaining value of CBT and MAT How research helps us understand the impact of mutual support and recovery The research behind using Contingency Management to shape positive behavior Making treatment less intimidating and more welcoming Working across boundaries and departments, within the government, to address the drug abuse problems and find solutions

Ted Perkins, aka the “Tips & Tools Guy” is a SMART facilitator and producer of our popular SMART Recovery video series including Tips & Tools for Recovery That Works, Life Beyond Addiction, Facilitator Spotlights, and more.  A natural skeptic and avid humanist, he has always been open to ways to better himself, especially in his recovery. One way in which he’s done this is looking into the possible therapeutic value of psychedelic drugs. In this podcast he openly shares some of his experiences with people so they can understand the powerful impact they made in his life. In this podcast, Ted talks about: How alcohol was normalized growing up in other countries  His path from college to the entertainment industry being full of parties and substances   Realizing he was living a suboptimal life because of alcohol   Finding SMART and becoming a facilitator   Trying LSD in the 1980’s and integrating the experience into his ongoing relationships  Trying to be the best Ted he can be  Learning about the popularity of psychedelics to aid in recovery  His experience at a psychedelic summer camp in Costa Rica  Being treated with Ketamine by his therapist   The connection between his psychedelic experience and using SMART  Getting what you need, not what you want  Having a deeper emotional connection to the people in his life

Loretta Billingsley has been working in the media industry since the 1980’s and still loves what she does to this day. Another thing she loves is facilitating the SMART Women’s meeting on Saturday mornings. Loretta knows the personal growth and connections formed during those meetings have help changed lives, and for that she is grateful.   In this podcast, Loretta talks about: Being one of the pioneer women who started the women’s meeting Why the meeting has grown in popularity in the last year Notable guest speakers from the recovery community Her four levels of collective sharing Why inclusivity needed to be a part of the SMART community How we’re all recovering from something Humanity being the great connector Using practices instead of tools The journey down a new road of recovery

Dr. Ashley Grinonneau-Denton is the founder and co-owner of Ohio Center for Relationship and Sexual Health in Cleveland, Ohio. She has a doctorate in marriage and family therapy and is a certified sex therapist.   In this podcast, Dr. Ashley talks about:  Being one of only 16 people certified in sex therapy in Ohio   The social and cultural aspects of Valentine’s Day  Not marginalizing sexual background of clients  Creating a sex positive environment    Behaviors involved with couples and their sexual health   Looking at all sides of an issue to see the client’s whole self  Her soapbox about labels   Getting to a healthy sexual life  How the intimacy conversation is changing with each new generation   The form and function in music and pop culture   Conducting virtual consultations (even before the pandemic)   Seeing co-occurring behaviors in clients that are making it harder for them to change 

Paul Tieger is the Founder and CEO of Speed Reading People, LLC. He is also a principal of IConnect Health, an international expert on personality psychology, and the author of five bestselling books. Paul’s current project is the lead researcher for the SMART De-Stress RX Study, to determine the connection between personality type and addiction issues. In this podcast, Paul talks about: His extensive background in personality psychology and trying to understand who people are His most famous case from when he was a jury consultant The new SMART study’s purpose is to determine genetic predisposition to addiction issues based on personality type and how SMART can tailor its approach to different people Why personality type trumps all other factors like age and gender How to prevent confirmation bias Tom Horvath’s enthusiasm for this groundbreaking study The three parts of the study the participants will take Developing the De-Stress RX personality test as an individualized approach to reducing stress based on the 16 personality types The value in receiving personal RX results How the COVID era stress has influenced personality types How SMART will be communicating how people can participate in the study in the coming weeks How to register for the webinar on Wednesday, March 2nd

Dr. Joe Gerstein is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Founder of SMART Recovery. He is also a retired Harvard University professor and lectures at addiction symposiums. Joe introduced SMART to the world and has facilitated over 3,000 meetings.  His passion and motivation for helping others is still going strong after 50+ years. Joe shares some of his thoughts and perspectives and being for staying motivated in your recovery.

Dave Johnson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Fletcher Group, based in London, Kentucky. His background in social work, healthcare, and academia led him to starting Fletcher Group with the help of Ernie Fletcher, the former Governor of Kentucky. A recent grant connected them to SMART Recovery with the Rural Centers of Excellence Initiative.    In this podcast, Dave talks about: His journey from Big Sky country to the Motor City Flunking retirement after meeting Governor Ernie Fletcher  Developing and operationalizing the Fletcher Group organization at record speed  Being the catalysts for change Caring about the ones whom no one else does Receiving a HRSA grant for the Rural Centers for Excellence Initiative (RCOE) How and why recovery homes have gained public awareness in the last decade Connecting with SMART and implementing the curriculum and best practices into the houses Coaches and motivation The benefits for a recovery home participating in the RCOE program Gauging success: initiation, engagement, retention  What recovery capital is and why it’s important

From growing up in small-town Iowa to becoming a military police officer Army Reservist, Holly Paulsen has seen and experienced much in her life. It wasn’t until she woke up still drunk after a night of drinking, that she decided to make changes in her life. Today, she is living her best life and helping other veterans get the help and resources they deserve. In this podcast, Holly talks about: Following in her brother’s footsteps and joining the Army at age 17 The military being its own world The peer pressure of being old enough to serve is old enough to drink Being deployed in Afghanistan when she turned 21 Attributing early addictive behaviors to undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and later to numb the pain from injuries sustained in the military The military saying, “Drink About It, Don’t Think About It” A friend planting the seed of sobriety April 1st is not a joke Being supportive by going with a friend to SMART meetings Years later, making the choice to attend SMART meetings and finding the Veterans & First Responders inaugural meeting How SMART fits into her life and co-facilitating meetings Telling others don’t struggle alone; ask for help

Dr. Sarah Zemore is a Senior Scientist at the Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, and the Principal Investigator of the Peer Alternatives for Addiction 2 (PAL2) Study. This is the second phase in the study which focuses on the benefits of mutual help groups in recovery.  In this podcast, Sarah talks about: Her background in social psychology, then becoming interested in the addiction recovery process Previous studies being too academic with little translation to the real world The power researchers have to shape services and make an impact The goals, challenges, and findings from the 2015 PAL1 Study How the new PAL2 study will provide a deeper understanding the benefits of mutual help groups The focus in PAL2 will be on specific subgroups and how participation is different, i.e., in-person versus online meetings Mechanisms of action and the key drivers of recovery Ways to participate in PAL2 study and how the data will be used to provide recommendations to treatment providers The importance of knowing the range of recovery program options available Welcoming feedback on the work and study

Sarah Levin is the founder of Secular Strategies.  She is also a lobbyist and coalition builder.  Sarah has made it her life’s work to fight for legislation protecting secular points of view.   Gerardo (Gee) Matamoros is president of the SMART NYC Board, and self-described newfound activist.  He is impacting his community through his passion and dedication to ensuring SMART is an option for everyone in recovery.  In this podcast, they talk about:  Sarah growing up in a political family that loved to talk about religion and politics at the kitchen table  Sarah being introduced to SMART when she worked for the Secular Coalition for America  Being the engine of the secular movement   Gee grew up in different countries and came to the US for college  Gee’s stint with “naughty” substances and finding SMART  What brought Sarah and Gee together  Advocating for separation of church and state and evidence-based policy  Explaining to law makers why Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) should be supported in recovery  Ending the stigma of addiction for people in recovery  The First Amendment cases that protect choice in recovery pathways  Shifting the burden to the courts to ensure secular recovery options are given to people   Gee’s outreach and awareness efforts in NYC   Newfound energy in rallying people to get involved in SMART’s legislative changes  Why it’s important to learn the ecosystem of decision makers in your community and make SMART known  Telling your story because your voice matters to lawmakers at all levels 

Dave Jansa is a SMART Facilitator in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and someone with lived experience with the Family & Friends program.  He also serves on the board of Face it Together (FIT), whose mission is to solve the nation’s greatest health challenge drug and alcohol addiction.  In this podcast, Dave talks about: Resolving his struggles with addictive behaviors on his own and by observing what others were going through as guidance Being curious and confused about his addiction experience and recovery transformation Face it Together being disturbing innovators The similarities between SMART and FIT and implementing SMART into their recovery options How using the Family & Friends program transformed the way he interacted with his son The needs of teens and young adults differs from adults in recovery The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) method FIT’s Recovery Capital Index How addiction affects everyone in the family Being part of the solution in people’s recovery Finding the diamond in the rough

Since 2016, Lorie Hammerstorm has been the lead onsite trainer for SMART.  She also facilitates the teen and young adult meetings.  Her passion for working with teens and young adults is evident in the hundreds of people she has helped in their recovery journey.  Rae Grady is an onsite trainer and Family & Friends facilitator, who has been with SMART since 2019.  Her prior experience working with adolescents as a guidance counselor and crisis coordinator has given her the tools and empathy to support the those in need.  In this podcast, they talk about: Lorie’s need to find life goals beyond drugs and alcohol in high school and how it shaped her future Rae’s career working with adolescents and finding SMART as a resource How Lorie found SMART and why the tools were crucial in her life SMART’s principles are things kids can grab onto Why the school approach makes the teens more comfortable in meetings Lorie and Rae’s experiences with their own children’s struggles Why it’s important that teens learn to communicate The skills that trainers and facilitators need to work with teens and young adults The value in creating relationships with people Using music as a way to connect and relate to recovery Planting the seeds for recovery A mistake isn’t a failure, but an opportunity to learn The parents’ need to understand the recovery process