Abstinence Moderation

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Below are two examples of what happens when a SMART meeting is perceived as a mixed group using Moderation and Abstinence.

The key here is perceived. SMART is an Abstinence support group.

This could happen to any group when outside influences try to insert their beliefs to a group.

The purpose of these posts are not to put down SMART in any way .

The purpose of the posts is to show how important it is for a group to keep saying over and over that its an Abstinence support group or a Moderation support group and not let out side forces use the group for personal purposes and have mixed messages getting out.

The posts also show what happens in real life when Moderation and Abstinence support is mixed.

Hi all Des here I just visited the Harm Reduction website. Among other things it says ..... though abstinence is often the most effective way to limit the damage done by drugs and alcohol. the majority of people do not achieve or maintain abstinence from all psychoactive substances. Harm reduction therapy is an approach that helps the user to evaluate his or her problems and to plan for the right solution. I¹ve been convening SMART Recovery group for 2 and a half years. The professional advisors to our group generally support a philosophy of harm reduction. It is my observation that * participants who adopt abstinence and apply SMART techniques get sober and start achieving life goals * participants who practice harm reduction take a long time to get anywhere with recovery and have frequent serious relapses and avoid working on the life changing goals they set for themselves. They just continue to drink and use, mostly recklessly. Our professional advisors say it¹s better than nothing and its a means to an end. From my observation the end is failure to gain a sustaining recovery resulting in continued misery. Our advisors are local D&A counselors, not SMART trained facilitators. The SMART Recovery web site is http://www.smartrecovery.org ====================== Des - From Sydney {Fast Index Page}