SMART Recovery vs. AA: What’s the Difference? 

Deciding on the right recovery approach is an important step on the path to sobriety. Two popular options are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery. While both aim to empower people to overcome addiction, they take very different views of recovery goals and processes. Here’s how to decide which one might be a better fit for you.

What Is SMART Recovery?

SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) teaches self-empowerment and skill-building to manage addictive behaviors.

The program centers on a set of 4 guiding recovery goals:¹

1. “Build and maintain motivation
2. Cope with urges and cravings
3. Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
4. Live a balanced life”

History and Background of SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery was founded in the early U.S. in the 1990s by Dr. Joe Gerstein, a physician who had himself been through addiction recovery and recognized the need for a nonreligious, science-based alternative to AA’s 12-Step program. SMART quickly gained traction and has since grown into a global movement with chapters in over 30 countries. They also formed the SMART Recovery Global Research Network² to ensure their program is informed by independent research and continues to adapt alongside evolving addiction science.

Benefits of SMART Recovery

One of the main benefits of SMART Recovery is its flexibility. Unlike AA, there’s no requirement to believe in a higher power or admit powerlessness over addiction. 

“Recovery is a very individual journey.³ What works for one doesn’t work for another,” says Leigh Proctor of UK SMART Recovery, “so we need to have as many options as we can to help people.” SMART can be combined with other recovery strategies, including 12-Step programs.

Meetings are free and widely available both in-person and online, and are open to anyone struggling with substance abuse or addictive behaviors, regardless of the specific substance or the severity of the addiction. 

Philosophy of SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery principles⁴ aim to help members gain independence from addiction through “proven tools and techniques drawn from many effective approaches to recovery including cognitive behavioral therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and various relaxation techniques.”

SMART doesn’t take a position on whether or not addiction is a disease. Religion and spirituality aren’t a part of the program, but members are welcome to incorporate their spiritual beliefs as they see fit.

SMART Recovery is abstinence-based, and is not a moderation or harm reduction program. But it also acknowledges that slip-ups are a normal part of recovery and does not stigmatize relapse.

What Is AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) describes itself as “a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem.”⁵ 

AA is a global phenomenon, recognized as one of the most successful support groups for people battling alcohol addiction. AA is based on the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions,⁶ a set of specific actions and principles members follow to stay on a lifelong path to sobriety.

The program has its origins in Christian ideology, but its language has been broadened to refer to “spirituality” and a “higher power” to be more accessible to people of all faiths.

History and Background of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

The roots of AA⁷ trace back to 1935 in Akron, Ohio, where a meeting between Bill Wilson, a stockbroker struggling with alcoholism, and Dr. Bob Smith, a physician facing similar challenges, sparked a movement. 

Wilson experienced a spiritual awakening that led him to sobriety, and he believed sharing his experience with others could be the key to their recovery, too. He reached out to Smith, who was on the brink of relapse. Through their shared experiences and mutual support, they found a path to lasting sobriety—and they started helping others do the same.

In 1939, they published the now-famous “Big Book,”⁸ outlining AA’s core principles. AA meetings sprang up across the U.S., and by the mid-20th century, the organization had established itself as a cornerstone of addiction recovery.

Benefits of AA

One of the most significant benefits of AA is its widespread accessibility. Meetings are held all over the world,⁹ free of charge, offering a supportive space for people struggling with alcohol addiction. AA’s anonymity¹⁰ allows members to openly share their experiences and challenges without fear of judgment from their wider community. 

AA is a strong community. Members can connect with others who understand their struggles and find support, accountability, and belonging. This camaraderie and shared purpose help members stay committed to long-term sobriety.

Many people also enjoy the program’s structured approach to recovery. By following the program step by step, members develop a framework for self-reflection, personal responsibility, and spiritual growth. Working with an AA sponsor provides a deeper level of personalized support, which can be vital, especially in early recovery.

Philosophy of AA

AA’s core recovery philosophy is based on the concept of a higher power,¹¹ a universal force that offers guidance through the challenges of recovery. This doesn’t necessarily equate to a specific religion—the focus is on finding a source of strength outside oneself.

The 12 Steps guide members through a process of self-examination, admitting powerlessness over alcohol, seeking help from a higher power, making amends for past wrongs, and developing a relationship with their spirituality. The Steps also emphasize the importance of helping others, which reinforces AA’s community and lets members find purpose in supporting peers on their recovery journeys.