RiverValley Behavioral Health has added two SMART Recovery groups, with one designed to help families affected by addiction and the other to provide services for veterans and first responders navigating recovery.
Hosted at The Gathering Pointe Recovery Community Center (400 E. 4th Street), the new groups are designed to offer evidence-based, judgment-free support starting the first weekend of July, according to a release from RVBH.
The SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) program takes a science-backed, self-empowerment approach to addiction recovery.
“The SMART approach teaches people how to stay motivated, cope with cravings, manage unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and live a healthy, balanced life beyond addiction,” the release says. “It’s based on proven methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Participants share experiences, learn new skills, and encourage each other. SMART is a flexible, supportive option for anyone ready to take charge of their recovery and stay on track for life.
“SMART Recovery is about giving people options and tools that work for real lives and real recovery journeys,” said Michelle Nobles, Vice President of Outpatient, Recovery and Crisis Services for RiverValley. “No one should have to walk the path of recovery alone, especially those who carry the burden of caring for others — whether as family members or as public servants. These groups offer safe, guided, and supportive places to process, learn, and grow.”
In a 2023 study of 75 SMART Recovery groups, the Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Journal found that 94% of participants reported benefits in their addiction recovery, such as reduction of cravings and successful maintenance of abstinence. Additionally, 71% reported improvements in their mental well-being, 74% in their physical health, and 81% felt better connected with others.
“No one should have to walk the path of recovery alone, especially those who carry the burden of caring for others, whether as family members or as public servants. These groups offer safe, guided, and supportive places to process, learn, and grow,” said Michelle Nobles, RVBH Vice President of Outpatient, Recovery and Crisis Services.
The new offerings include:
- SMART Recovery: Friends and Family — Saturdays at 3 p.m. This group is for loved ones of individuals struggling with addiction and provides strategies for helping participants cope and support their loved ones effectively.
- SMART Recovery for Veterans and First Responders — Sundays at 3 p.m. This peer-based group is designed specifically for individuals who have served or protected their communities, creating a space where shared experience fosters mutual support.
The Gathering Pointe, RiverValley’s downtown recovery hub, aims to provide a welcoming, stigma-free environment for anyone seeking support. The new groups reflect a growing focus on specialized recovery pathways that respond to the unique needs of distinct populations in the region.
“As someone in active recovery myself, I know the power of connection and community,” said Timothy Villafranca, site manager for The Gathering Pointe. “These new groups are more than just meetings — they’re bridges to hope for people who might otherwise feel unseen or unsupported.”
Both groups are free to attend and open to anyone in the community seeking support in those areas. For more information, call The Gathering Pointe at 270-632-0622 or visit rvbh.com.
