SMART Recovery

What SMART Recovery does

SMART Recovery is a US-based nonprofit organization founded in 1994 that provides self-management training and mutual support programs for individuals with addictive behaviors, including substance use, gambling, and disordered eating. Its core offering is the 4-Point Program, a structured framework grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) covering motivation, coping with urges, problem solving, and lifestyle balance. The organization supplements this with the Family & Friends Program (based on CRAFT and Invitation to Change approaches), a library of CBT-based tools and worksheets (ABC, CBA, DEADs, DISARM), and specialized content including the Successful Life Skills Handbook for incarcerated and reentry populations.

SMART Recovery's technology stack centers on the SMARTfinder meeting management platform supporting over 500 online meetings and in-person locations nationwide, a mobile app for iOS and Android, and e-commerce storefronts for handbooks and training in the US and Canada. The legacy SROL message board was decommissioned in mid-2023 in favor of the modernized SMARTfinder system. Distribution is multi-channel: volunteer-led community meetings, digital self-serve platforms, partner treatment facilities (Multiple Pathways Partner Program), and government-funded regional implementations under opioid settlement agreements across Wake County NC, Dallas/Midland TX, Mecklenburg County NC, and Ohio.

The business model combines free service delivery with diversified revenue streams: charitable donations, one-time handbook purchases (4-Point Program 4th edition, Family & Friends 2nd edition), self-paced facilitator training course fees, and government/grant funding through opioid settlement projects. SMART Recovery operates as the US arm of Smart Recovery International, Inc. and serves an international community across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. The organization is led by Executive Director Mark Ruth and governed by a Board of Directors.

Name

SMART Recovery

Legal name

SMART Recovery, USA

Website

https://smartrecovery.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMART Recovery is a US-based nonprofit founded in 1994 that provides free, evidence-based CBT-driven mutual support programs and meetings for individuals overcoming addictive behaviors and their families, supplemented by handbook sales, facilitator training, and government grant funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Recovery Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Addiction recovery support
• Mutual support groups
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Self-management programs
• Peer recovery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mentor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Handbook and Materials Sales: Sale of 4-Point Program Handbooks and Family & Friends Handbooks through US and Canada online shops. Both physical and digital formats available.
2. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and supporters through the organization's donation platform.
3. Facilitator Training Programs: Revenue from self-paced online training courses for becoming a SMART Recovery facilitator, recently revamped to align with new handbooks.
4. Government/Opioid Settlement Funding: Opioid settlement-funded projects in multiple regions including Wake County NC, Dallas/Texas, Mecklenburg County NC, and Ohio support program implementation and expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SMART Recovery delivers free evidence-based mutual support group meetings and self-management training programs for individuals overcoming addictive behaviors, using the 4-Point Program framework grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The organization also provides the Family & Friends Program for loved ones of those with addictive behaviors, paid facilitator training courses, and printed handbooks (4-Point Program and Family & Friends) sold through US and Canadian online shops.

Product overview

SMART Recovery is a non-profit organization offering an evidence-informed, self-empowering approach to addiction recovery. The core offering consists of the 4-Point Program and Family & Friends Program, both supported by handbooks and a toolkit of CBT-based recovery tools. Participants access support through in-person and online meetings managed via the SMARTfinder platform, and via a mobile app for iOS and Android. Additional offerings include facilitator training, Inside Out programs for incarcerated individuals, the Successful Life Skills Handbook, and an annual national conference. The Multiple Pathways Partner Program enables organizations to affiliate with SMART Recovery. All programs emphasize self-empowerment over labels and can be used alone or alongside other recovery approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 4-Point Program: Core program for individuals working to overcome addictive behaviors
• Family & Friends Program
• Inside Out Program
• Successful Life Skills Handbook

Products and services

• 4-Point Program SMART Recovery's primary self-management program for overcoming addictive behaviors, based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. The program uses a 4-point framework covering Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle Balance. Targeted at individuals seeking to reduce or resolve addictive behaviors including substance use, gambling, and internet use.
• Family & Friends Program A program for family members and loved ones of individuals struggling with addictive behaviors, teaching empowering support strategies and communication skills based on the Invitation to Change approach and Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). Targeted at parents, spouses, siblings, and caregivers.
• SMART Recovery Mobile App

Quantifiable outcome

• Conference attendance grew from 145 to 225 attendees in one year, demonstrating increased awareness and engagement
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Multiple Pathways Partner Program OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Multiple Pathways Partner Program allows community organizations, behavioral health professionals, and treatment facilities to showcase their support for multiple pathways to recovery and SMART Recovery. Partners integrate SMART programs into their services and receive recognition through the partner directory.
• Smart Recovery International, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent holding company for SMART Recovery organizations worldwide, including SMART Recovery USA based in Mentor, Ohio. Standard contractual clauses are used for data transfers to ensure GDPR compliance.
• Delta Air LinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta offers special conference flight discounts for SMART Recovery USA National Conference attendees using Meeting Event Code NM4T3.
• Marriott Orlando Airport LakesideminorOthersConference venue for the 2026 National Conference offering discounted room rates of $160 single/double for attendees.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/smartrecovery
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMARTRecoveryUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-recovery-self-management-and-recovery-training-
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartrecoveryusa

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMART Recovery