Journal article
Exploring the potential of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) mutual-help groups for supporting people who use methamphetamine: A qualitative study examining participant experience of initiation and engagement
Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, Vol.169, pp.1-9
2025
PMID: 39515469
Abstract
Introduction
Improving support options for people who use methamphetamine is of critical national and global importance. The role of mutual-help groups within the treatment-seeking journey of people who use methamphetamine is unclear. Self-Management and Recovery Training (‘SMART Recovery’) mutual-help groups are led by a trained facilitator and support participants to work on individual goals, including, but not limited to abstinence. This study examined how people who use methamphetamine came to be involved in SMART Recovery mutual-help groups and factors associated with engagement.
Methods
A sample of Australian SMART Recovery participants who self-reported using methamphetamine in the preceding 12-months (n = 18) discussed their history of substance use and experience of service provision in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using iterative categorization.
Results
Participant initiation of SMART Recovery groups was described across two themes: i) delayed attendance and ii) use as an adjunct to other services. Factors associated with engagement were discussed in terms of: i) the ‘fit’ of SMART Recovery mutual-help groups; ii) coping and tolerance of discomfort; iii) the power of shared lived experience; iv) choice and autonomy; and v) short-term goal setting supports self-efficacy and the possibility of change.
Discussion and conclusions
SMART Recovery mutual-help groups show promise for engaging people who use methamphetamine. There is a clear need to improve awareness of mutual-help group options amongst service users, providers and the general community. Offering choice over mutual-help groups may help to engage people earlier and support improved linkage between services.
Details
- Title
- Exploring the potential of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) mutual-help groups for supporting people who use methamphetamine: A qualitative study examining participant experience of initiation and engagement
- Authors
- Alison K. Beck (Corresponding Author) - University of WollongongBriony Larance - University of WollongongVictoria Manning - Monash UniversityFrank P. Deane - University of WollongongAmanda L. Baker - UNSW SydneyLeanne Hides - The University of QueenslandAnthony Shakeshaft - The University of QueenslandAngela Argent - SMART Recovery AustraliaPeter J. Kelly - University of Wollongong
- Publication details
- Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, Vol.169, pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc.
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209570
- ISSN
- 2949-8759
- PMID
- 39515469
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- The participants of this study did not give written consent for their data to be shared publicly, so due to the sensitive nature of the research supporting data is not available.
- Grant note
- This project is supported by a Seed Funding Grant (Round 2, Jan 2019) from the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCR2SF09), funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991241465702621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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