SMART Recovery: What is it and how does it work alongside AOD treatment?

Description

Connect & Learn is a series of case-based webinars funded by the Department of Health, designed to support AOD clinicians throughout regional and metropolitan Victoria. Webinars are presented by experienced clinicians currently working in the AOD sector and facilitated by Turning Point.
SMART Recovery: What is it and how does it work alongside AOD treatment? – This webinar will provide an overview of the SMART Recovery model and present findings from a pilot study examining the impact of embedding SMART Recovery in Victorian AOD treatment services. Presented by Associate Professor Victoria Manning and Dan Raffell.

Victoria Manning is an Associate Professor in Addictions at Monash University and Head of Research and Workforce Development, Turning Point. She is a research psychologist and holds a PhD on neurocognition and co-occurring disorders. She has worked in addiction treatment services for over 20 years in the UK, Asia and Australia. Her primary research interests are trialling novel interventions to improve outcomes for people with substance use disorders, including neuroscience-informed interventions, psychological and pharmacological treatments and mutual aid. She has published over 130 papers and has written multiple treatment guidelines. Victoria oversees and lectures on the Masters of Addictive Behaviours course at Monash. She is a board member of VAADA, the peak body for AOD in Victoria, a SMART Recovery facilitator and is a member of the International Research Advisory Committee to SMART Recovery. She has conducted multiple studies examining the impact of peer-support/mutual aid groups like AA, NA and SMART recovery on treatment outcomes, and led a chapter on this topic in the recently revised Australian Alcohol Treatment Guidelines.

Dan Raffell is the National Program Manager and Trainer with SMART Recovery Australia. Originally from Scotland, Dan has 18 years experience working in addiction recovery, peer education, youth and homeless sector in the UK and Australia. Dan’s qualifications include an Honours Degree in Addiction Studies, Diplomas in Integrated Counselling, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Certificates in Mental Health and Health and Social Care. Dan has a real passion seeing people who are experiencing addictive behaviours gain more control over their lives. He strongly believes in peer support and those seeking recovery are the experts in themselves. His desire is to see participants equipped with the necessary tools and strategies and being empowered to live more balanced and fulfilled lives. This has been validated through his own journey and lived experience of addiction many years ago.