SMART Recovery Global

What SMART Recovery Global does

SMART Recovery International is a US-based non-profit mutual support organization (legal entity: SMART Recovery International Holdings LLC) that coordinates the global delivery of the SMART Recovery 4-Point Program, an evidence-based addiction recovery methodology grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Motivational Interviewing, and the Stages of Change model. The organization was founded in 1994 by Dr. Joe Gerstein at Harvard University, with the international governing body (SMART Recovery International) formed in 2018 to coordinate a network of 16+ national affiliates and approximately 3,500 free weekly meetings across 35 countries. Core offerings include free peer-led weekly meetings (face-to-face and online), the registered SMART Recovery 4-Point Program framework, self-help manuals in multiple languages, paid facilitator training programs, the SMART Track smartphone app for routine outcome monitoring, a Family & Friends program, and the Global Research Advisory Network.

The organization serves individuals with substance dependencies and problematic behaviours (drugs, alcohol, gambling, cigarettes, food), their families, justice-involved populations, and culturally diverse communities including Indigenous groups. It also partners with government health departments (e.g., Punjab, India), harm-reduction facilities (e.g., Uniting MSIC, Australia), and academic researchers. Technology is delivered through online meeting platforms, a global meeting finder across country-specific affiliate websites, the SMART Track app, the SMART Recovery YouTube channel (Tips & Tools video series), and a podcast distribution on major platforms.

Revenue is generated through donations, grants, government funding, merchandise and literature sales via the SMART Recovery Global Store, and facilitator training fees. Meetings are free, ensuring zero-cost access for participants. The organization is currently seeking a new Chief Executive Officer to lead global growth and innovation, with Jennifer Johannesen serving as Chair of the Board. Operations are anchored by a small central team of approximately 24 employees, supplemented by thousands of trained volunteer facilitators globally.

Name

SMART Recovery Global

Legal name

SMART Recovery International Holdings LLC

Website

https://smartrecoveryinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMART Recovery International coordinates a global network of approximately 3,500 free weekly mutual support meetings across 35 countries, delivering an evidence-based CBT-grounded addiction recovery program to individuals, families, justice-involved populations, and government health partners.

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-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Addiction recovery services
• Mutual support groups
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Facilitator training programs
• Evidence-based recovery

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: The organization operates as a non-profit relying on donations, grants, and government funding to sustain free meeting operations and training programs.
2. Merchandise and Literature Sales: Sales of SMART Recovery handbooks, pamphlets, journals, program-related literature, and clothing through the SMART Recovery Global Store.
3. Facilitator Training: Revenue from comprehensive facilitator training programs delivered in interactive online or individual formats for those wanting to start SMART meetings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SMART Recovery Global provides a free, evidence-based addiction recovery program built on the proprietary SMART Recovery 4-Point Program® framework, delivered through approximately 3,000–3,500 peer-led weekly meetings (face-to-face and online) across more than 20–35 countries. The organization also sells recovery manuals, journals, and program literature, and offers paid facilitator training programs that enable individuals and professionals to start SMART meetings in their communities.

Product overview

SMART Recovery Global operates as a global mutual support group organization offering an evidence-based recovery program grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The core offering consists of the SMART Recovery 4-Point Program delivered through approximately 3,000 free weekly meetings across 35 countries, both face-to-face and online. Supporting products include self-help SMART Manuals available in multiple languages, comprehensive Facilitator Training programs, and the Family & Friends Program for affected relatives. The organization also provides the SMART Track mobile app for routine outcome monitoring, a YouTube channel with Tips & Tools video series, and maintains a Global Research Network to support evidence-based practice. The Global Store offers program literature and merchandise. Affiliates operate in 16+ countries including USA, UK, Australia, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, and South Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SMART Recovery Meetings

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero overdose deaths recorded at Medically Supervised Injecting Centre partnerships
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Research Advisory Committee (GRAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022International committee of researchers from Harvard, Northwestern, King's College London, University of Wollongong, Monash University, and others guiding evidence-based practice and research development.
• University of WollongongcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic partner hosting research activities, chairs for Global and Australian Research Advisory Committees, and coordination of systematic reviews.
• Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC), AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with harm reduction facility providing holistic, person-centred approach to addiction. Zero overdose deaths recorded at the centre.
• Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program (DAP)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International organization whose Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders introduced SMART Recovery to treatment providers in Indonesia.
• Government of Punjab, India - Health Department and CADAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Implementation of SMART Recovery in government-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment Centres across multiple districts. Psychiatrists and psychologists trained as facilitators.
• SMART Recovery USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Primary US affiliate operating under license from SMART Recovery International. Manages US meeting network, facilitator training, and online meetings platform (SROL - SMART Recovery Online Leadership Team).
• SMART Recovery UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018UK affiliate managing British meeting network and research activities. Board chaired by Professor Marcantonio Spada. Works with NHS and treatment services.
• SMART Recovery AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Major Australian affiliate operating 355+ weekly meetings. Conducts research, facilitator training, and maintains research advisory committee. Hosts webinars and training programs.
• SMART Recovery IrelandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Irish affiliate established 2018 as SMART Recovery Ireland CLG to develop governance, training programs, and strategic plan for peer involvement in Ireland.
• SMART Recovery DenmarkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Danish affiliate established 2018 operating 11 cities with government-funded research validating program efficiency.
• SMART Recovery SwedencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Swedish affiliate operating under smartrecovery.se providing meetings in Swedish language.
• SMART Recovery Spain (SMART Recovery Español)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Spanish-language affiliate providing meetings for Spanish-speaking populations including Latin America.
• SMART Recovery South AfricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018South African affiliate operating meetings for addiction recovery, serving populations with limited access to formal rehabilitation services.
• SMART Recovery PolandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Polish affiliate operating online and face-to-face meetings including Polish-speaking meeting in Dublin, Ireland.
• SMART Recovery CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Canadian affiliate providing meetings across Canada through smartrecovery-canada.ca.
• SMART Recovery IcelandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Icelandic affiliate operating meetings in Iceland under smartrecovery.is.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Broad incumbents

• Celebrate Recovery: Large Christ-centered 12-step alternative with thousands of church-based weekly meetings; represents the faith-based incumbent in the alternative-to-AA mutual support category where SMART operates.
• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation: Major US addiction treatment provider with residential and outpatient programs plus publishing/research arms (including CBT-influenced curricula); broader incumbent offering integrated clinical services that encompass SMART's mutual support modality.

Direct peers

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Largest global mutual support fellowship for alcohol recovery; the dominant 12-step alternative that SMART Recovery explicitly positions against as a secular, CBT-based alternative serving the same population.
• LifeRing Secular Recovery: Secular, abstinence-based mutual support organization offering free meetings as an alternative to 12-step programs; competes head-to-head with SMART in the non-religious recovery segment.
• Oxford House: Network of democratically run, self-supporting sober living homes; comparable peer-driven recovery model operating as an alternative to traditional treatment, often used in conjunction with SMART-style mutual support.
• Refuge Recovery: Mindfulness-based addiction recovery program with peer-led meetings; another non-12-step, evidence-informed alternative competing with SMART in the secular/alternative recovery space.
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Global 12-step fellowship for drug addiction recovery operating free weekly meetings worldwide; the closest direct counterpart to SMART's substance-specific mutual support model.
• Moderation Management: Non-12-step support network for problem drinkers seeking moderation rather than abstinence; comparable alternative mutual support model targeting a similar but distinct segment of recovery seekers.
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS): Non-profit network of secular sobriety support groups; directly comparable secular alternative competing with SMART for the same non-12-step recovery audience.
• Women for Sobriety: Self-help program for women with substance use disorders using positive-thinking and cognitive-behavioral principles; comparable mutual-support alternative with overlapping CBT-influenced methodology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SmartRecoveryUSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/UKSMARTRecovery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-recovery-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Global