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SMART Recovery is a free, secular, peer-led mutual support program grounded in evidence-informed practice. Our approach is strengthened by independent research led by Australian academics, undertaken in partnership with the people who participate in SMART Recovery. This research helps us understand what works, learn from lived and living experience, and continually improve the support we offer.
SMART Recovery is grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and rational emotive behaviour therapy. Participants set their own recovery goals, whether that is reduction, harm management or abstinence, for any addictive behaviour.
Trained facilitators deliver meetings online and in community settings. This makes SMART an accessible companion to clinical treatment before, during and after formal care.
Research and evaluation are overseen by an independent Research Advisory Committee of Australian academics. The committee has published 16 peer-reviewed articles and attracted more than $700,000 in research funding.
Online participant figures for continuing to attend, 7-Day Plans, online compared with in person, and first meetings come from the SMART Recovery online meeting survey (7,304 responses, June 2020 to July 2026). Results reflect participants who chose to complete the survey.
A selection of recent findings from peer-reviewed studies of SMART Recovery in Australia.
Manning, V., Roxburgh, A.D. & Savic, M. (2023). Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 18(1), 52.
A mixed-methods pilot of SMART embedded in three public AOD treatment programs in Victoria. In the participant survey (31 respondents):
van de Ven, K., Deane, F.P., Kelly, P.J., Larance, B. & Beck, A.K. (2024). Rural and Remote Health, 24(3), 8861.
An analysis of 1,255 men attending online SMART groups (259 rural, 996 urban). Rural men rated their experience as highly as urban men, with no significant differences:
The authors conclude that online SMART groups are a promising option for reaching rural men where face-to-face services are limited.
Blatch, C., O'Sullivan, K., Delaney, J.J. & Rathbone, D. (2016). Journal of Forensic Practice, 18(1), 3-16.
A quasi-experimental study of New South Wales Corrective Services data, comparing people who attended Getting SMART (2,343), SMART Recovery (233) or both programs (306) with a matched comparison group.
Beck, A.K., Forbes, E., Baker, A.L., Kelly, P.J., Deane, F.P., Shakeshaft, A., Hunt, D. & Kelly, J.F. (2017). Systematic review of SMART Recovery: Outcomes, process variables, and implications for research. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 31(1), 1-20.
Beck, A.K., Waks, S., Argent, A., Deane, F.P., Larance, B., Manning, V., Baker, A.L., Hides, L. & Kelly, P.J. (2023). The benefits and challenges of virtual SMART Recovery mutual-help groups: Participant and facilitator perspectives. International Journal of Drug Policy, 120, 104174.
A qualitative study of Australian SMART participants and facilitators. Online groups improve availability and ease of access, and the chat feature adds value. The study also identifies practical challenges around engagement, group size and technology to inform delivery.
Beck, A.K., et al. (2023). Supporting people affected by problematic alcohol, substance use and other behaviours under pandemic conditions: A pragmatic evaluation of how SMART Recovery Australia responded to COVID-19. Addictive Behaviors.
Beck, A.K., Gray, R.M., Wells, M., Deane, F.P., Larance, B., Hides, L., Manning, V., Baker, A.L., Shakeshaft, A., Dale, E., Argent, A. & Kelly, P.J. (2026). SMART Family and Friends mutual-help groups: Findings from a mixed-methods formative implementation evaluation. Drug and Alcohol Review, 45(3), e70137.
An evaluation of SMART Family and Friends facilitator training and program implementation. The model was found to be well suited to the isolation and stigma experienced by affected family members, and suitable for scaled delivery by peers and providers within existing AOD and community services.
Yarn SMART is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program of SMART Recovery. It is informed by research led by Dr Elizabeth Dale, a Worimi woman, clinical psychologist and member of the SMART Recovery Research Advisory Committee. The research was conducted in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations across New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. The SMART Recovery Australia Aboriginal Action Group, in collaboration with Inside Policy, translated Dr Dale's PhD research into practice and developed Yarn SMART.
Source: Yarn SMART facilitator training survey, 242 responses, October 2023 to July 2026.
This review explores national and international evidence on culturally-centred AOD programs supporting Indigenous young people. It highlights the importance of culture, community leadership, connection to Country, family and self-determination in supporting healing and resilience.
Key findings
Dale, E., Lee, K.S.K., Conigrave, K.M., Conigrave, J.H., Ivers, R., Clapham, K. & Kelly, P.J. (2021). A multi-methods yarn about SMART Recovery: First insights from Australian Aboriginal facilitators and group members. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(6), 1013-1027.
An Indigenous-lensed study of Aboriginal-led SMART Recovery groups. It examines facilitator and member attributes, group characteristics, perceived acceptability and helpfulness, and areas for improvement.
Dale, E., Conigrave, K.M., Kelly, P.J., Ivers, R., Clapham, K. & Lee, K.S.K. (2021). A Delphi yarn: Applying Indigenous knowledge to enhance the cultural utility of SMART Recovery Australia. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 16(1), 2.
A three-round Delphi study using Indigenous yarning methods to reach consensus on the cultural modifications needed to the SMART program and how to implement them. This work directly informed the design of Yarn SMART.
Dale, E., Kelly, P.J., Lee, K.S.K., Conigrave, J.H., Ivers, R. & Clapham, K. (2019). Systematic review of addiction recovery mutual support groups and Indigenous people of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States of America and Hawaii. Addictive Behaviors, 98, 106038.
This is the share of LGBTIQA+ program participants who reported changes to their alcohol and/or drug use, including greater control, reduced risk, reduced consumption or stopping completely.
Broader research shows why peer support matters across the whole treatment system.
Manning, V., Garfield, J.B.B., Best, D., et al. (2017). Substance use outcomes following treatment: Findings from the Australian Patient Pathways Study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(2), 177-189.
In Australia's largest treatment outcome study (796 participants), mutual-aid attendance was associated with 72% higher odds of treatment success (odds ratio 1.72).
Kepner, W. & Humphreys, K. (2025). Effectiveness of mutual help groups for illicit drug use disorders: A review of the current literature. Current Addiction Reports, 12, 12.
Recent studies consistently show that mutual-help group attendance and involvement predict reductions in drug use and addiction severity, that online delivery formats improve retention, and that culturally tailored group formats benefit specific populations.
KPMG & University of Queensland (2025). Drug and Alcohol Program Final Evaluation Report. Prepared for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Eddie, D., O'Connor, J.B., George, S.S., et al. (2025). Peer recovery support services and recovery coaching for substance use disorder: A systematic review. Current Addiction Reports, 12, 40.
Reif, S., et al. (2014). Peer recovery support for individuals with substance use disorders: Assessing the evidence. Psychiatric Services, 65(7), 853-861.
SMART Recovery has been referenced in inquiries and reviews at Commonwealth and state level. These are some of them.
Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia (2024 to 2026)
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability assessed the delivery of alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. The report evaluates SMART Recovery Australia as a provider of accessible, non-judgemental and high-quality primary prevention and relapse prevention interventions across Australia. The final report was presented on 14 September 2026.
Read Chapter 4: Managing the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs
Supplementary comments, Dr Monique Ryan MP
Accompanying the main report, this commentary highlights SMART Recovery as a benchmark model for evidence-based aftercare and relapse prevention resources needed to break the "revolving door" of addiction in the justice and health systems.
Inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, particularly ice, in Victoria (2013 to 2014)
Conducted by the Victorian Parliament's Law Reform, Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee. The report highlights the benefits of professional clinical development, and details how funding and scholarship allocations supported the establishment of local SMART Recovery groups to respond to methamphetamine dependence.
Yoorrook for Transformation: Third Interim Report (2024)
Prepared by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria's formal truth-telling inquiry, which operates with Royal Commission powers. The report examines systemic injustice and references research and trials adapting SMART Recovery Australia through Indigenous knowledge to improve cultural utility and equity in health outcomes.
Drug and Specialist Courts Review (2016)
A Queensland Government review of the state's drug and specialist courts and associated treatment delivery. It incorporates cognitive behavioural therapy based models, including the Getting SMART and SMART Recovery maintenance programs, as evidence-based pathways for rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.
A selection of additional peer-reviewed studies of SMART Recovery.
Hester, R.K., Lenberg, K.L., Campbell, W. & Delaney, H.D. (2013). Overcoming Addictions, a web-based application, and SMART Recovery, an online and in-person mutual help group for problem drinkers, Part 1: Three-month outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(7), e134.
Campbell, W., Hester, R.K., Lenberg, K.L. & Delaney, H.D. (2016). Overcoming Addictions, a web-based application, and SMART Recovery, an online and in-person mutual help group for problem drinkers, Part 2: Six-month outcomes of a randomized controlled trial and qualitative feedback from participants. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(10), e262.
Zemore, S.E., Lui, C., Mericle, A., Hemberg, J. & Kaskutas, L.A. (2018). A longitudinal study of the comparative efficacy of Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, SMART Recovery, and 12-step groups for those with AUD. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 88, 18-26.
Kelly, P.J., Raftery, D., Deane, F.P., Baker, A.L., Hunt, D. & Shakeshaft, A. (2017). From both sides: Participant and facilitator perceptions of SMART Recovery groups. Drug and Alcohol Review, 36(3), 325-332.
Kelly, P.J., Deane, F.P. & Baker, A.L. (2015). Group cohesion and between session homework activities predict self-reported cognitive-behavioral skill use amongst participants of SMART Recovery groups. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 51, 53-58.
Gray, R.M., Kelly, P.J., Beck, A.K., Baker, A.L., Deane, F.P., Neale, J., Treloar, C., Hides, L., Manning, V., Shakeshaft, A., Kelly, J., Argent, A. & McGlaughlin, R. (2020). A qualitative exploration of SMART Recovery meetings in Australia and the role of a digital platform to support routine outcome monitoring. Addictive Behaviors, 101, 106144.
Manning, V., Kelly, P.J. & Baker, A.L. (2020). The role of peer support and mutual aid in reducing harm from alcohol, drugs and tobacco in 2020. Addictive Behaviors, 109, 106480.
Best, D., Manning, V., Allsop, S. & Lubman, D. (2020). Does the effectiveness of mutual aid depend on compatibility with treatment philosophies offered at residential rehabilitation services? Addictive Behaviors, 103, 106221.
