SMART Recovery teaches self-directed and self-empowering attitudes, which include:
- Finding one’s own self-power and growth of self-reliance
- Attending educational support and discussion sessions
- Encourages people to have satisfying lives
- Educates on methods for directing change from within
- Supports the use of approved psychological treatments
- Supports using prescribed psychiatric drugs
- Considers abuse and addiction to be complicated dysfunctional behaviors, with possible physiological components involved
- Scientific research about recovery is incorporated as it is revealed