Ep 81 What a SMART Recovery Meeting Is Like | AA Alternatives Ep 01

Sobriety Bestie Podcast

My First SMART Recovery Meeting: What It Was Really Like

Today I’m sharing my honest experience going to a SMART Recovery meeting for the first time — even though I’ve been sober since 2009 and wasn’t looking for support getting sober. I did it to explore non-12-step recovery options and expand the conversation beyond AA.

👇 Timestamps

00:00 What SMART Recovery is like intro

02:11 Who SMART is for

02:57 Why I didn't go to SMART to get sober

03:44 I went to an online SMART meeting

07:25 SMART Recovery meeting starts

09:48 SMART Recovery check-ins

12:06 Guide vs Guru (and what the training actually says)

14:13 What SMART shares are like

19:26 How SMART talked about AA

21:50 SMART meeting ending

In this episode, I break down what happened in the meeting, how it felt, how SMART compares to AA, and what surprised me (both good and not-so-good). If you’re deconstructing AA or just curious about SMART Recovery, this is for you.

📚 I also completed SMART Recovery’s training this week, so I’ll be sharing more non-12-step resources here soon. Let’s build the playlist together!

🎯 WHO THIS IS FOR:

— People deconstructing from AA

— Folks looking for science-based recovery

— Anyone curious about SMART Recovery

— Sober people wanting connection, tools, and community (not dogma)

Join our deprogramming AA Community and get free resources in the 🔓 AA Escape Kit

here → → 🔓 AA Escape Kit

Want to dive deeper? Join my Deprogramming AA course:

→ 🌀 Deprogram AA Course

💬 Let’s Connect @SobrietyBestie

DM me or comment on any Sobriety Bestie socials. I’m here for the conversation.

Let’s get f*cking free.