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.
Check out this great interview by Luke Frazier, for our new show Insiders+ Access, made possible in part by the generous support of SMART Insiders+ participants.
Sarah Levin is featured in the podcast, Swimming Against the Legislative Tides
Additional information about the New York legislation bill
For more information on how you can join the SMART Insiders+ Program, go to: www.smartrecovery.org/insiders
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I took the Facilitator Trainings for SMART Recovery a couple of years ago to add to my own recovery Tool Kit. I discovered SMART Recovery while doing research for my work as a Prevention Director. I wanted to present an alternative to traditional 12 Step Recovery programs for those who were unable, or unwilling to accept spiritually based Fellowships. I liked that SMART did not discourage those in 12 Step recovery programs from utilizing whatever spiritual help they may have been afforded by AA or NA.
To state that 12-Step Recovery is identified as “Faith Based” I believe is wrong. Even in the SMART Recovery Facilitator Handbook it accepts spirituality as part of recovery. It is difficult enough for those with those who suffer from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) to seek treatment or help without adding another barrier to seeking recovery.
I believe that Recovery Is Possible for Everyone. Each person must find their own path on this journey. We get sober for ourselves, not by ourselves and remain that way for those we love and those who love us.
Hello Romeo,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. We are circulating it to our content team to keep in mind.
Hello, I too hold the view point that a 12 Step Program is not Faith Based, but on the Spiritual spectrum. I have personal healing experience in ACA, OA and attending open CA and AA meetings. The phrase “my experience” relates to my personal healing and supporting those whom I care about. Please do not label the 12 Step Programs. If you were aware of the founders and the history of AA the original 12 Step, they were adamant that it NOT be considered Religious. “Faith Based” was most likely not a term used in the 1930s. I agree strongly that people who are searching for their route to health and freedom from addictions. need to be able to find support that makes “sense to them” in order that they be able to work the program that works for them. I find that the terminology, words chosen and phrasing in this blog, can sway people to believe as you do, rather than to encouraged them to come to their own understandings via critical thinking. The consequences of trauma can materialize from any “healing” program or lifestyle. Many of us have experienced trauma that was unrelated to anything religious. As “experts” word choice definitely is a form of marketing to convince others of the benefit of what the experts believe is the better program. Glad to hear that you mentioned “funding” as often when we follow the money we find the motivations of the supporters. The 12 Step Programs MUST NOT ask for religious or state funding. These programs are funded only by participants donations at the meetings as this is another way to honor the participants’ anonymity so that they will continue on their journey of sobriety from the behaviors and drugs of choice that have harmed their lives and affected those around them. The costs of the meetings are paid for by the donations, not corporations or other organizations so that they cannot influence content or demand membership lists where there are none. It is interesting how many other organizations use catch phrases or format from the 12 Steps to enhance their programs. There is much good that has come from this type of programs when it follows the basic format. As a side bar, my child has chosen the SMART program for their journey rather than the 12 Step program that worked for me. I support their decision.
I’m fairly new to this. I thought AA referenced God specifically which would make it faith based- specifically Christian I believe.