title: From both sides: Participant and facilitator perceptions of SMART Recovery groups.
abstract: The Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) program provides facilitated mutual aid for people with addictions. To date, little research has examined SMART Recovery. This paper examined participant and facilitator perceptions of the helpfulness of cognitive behaviour therapy tools in SMART Recovery groups. SMART Recovery's strengths and areas for improvement were also explored, as well as overall participant satisfaction with SMART Recovery.
  
  
  
  This exploratory study was conducted as part of the first national survey of SMART Recovery in Australia. Paper surveys were posted to all registered SMART Recovery groups for participants. SMART Recovery facilitators were emailed a link to an online survey.
  
  
  
  Overall, satisfaction with SMART Recovery was moderate to strong. Participants and facilitators perceived the cognitive behaviour therapy tools incorporated within SMART Recovery to be helpful. Participants and facilitators nominated the group experience and the SMART Recovery tools and strategies as helpful aspects of SMART Recovery. Participants and facilitators were concerned with improving public knowledge about SMART Recovery groups, updating the structure and content of SMART Recovery groups, and increasing training for facilitators.
  
  
  
  SMART Recovery displays strengths as communicated by those who utilise its services. However, there are opportunities to continue to improve SMART Recovery. Updating the training for facilitators and increasing communication between SMART Recovery Australia's head office and its facilitators may serve to improve service delivery. Future research should focus on examining the efficacy of SMART Recovery groups on participant outcomes.[Kelly PJ, Raftery D, Deane FP, Baker AL, Hunt D, Shakeshaft A. From both sides: Participant and facilitator perceptions of SMART Recovery groups. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:325-332].
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Dayle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raftery
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Deane
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: SMART Recovery Australia, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shakeshaft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000073038:Mental Health Recovery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: SMART Recovery; cognitive behaviour therapy; consumer perception; mutual support group; service evaluation