Exploring the potential of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) mutual-help groups for supporting people who use methamphetamine: A qualitative study examining participant experience of initiation and engagement

Alison K Beck; Briony Larance; Victoria Manning; Frank P Deane; Amanda L Baker; Leanne Hides; Anthony Shakeshaft; Angela Argent; Peter J Kelly

doi:10.1016/j.josat.2024.209570

Exploring the potential of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART Recovery) mutual-help groups for supporting people who use methamphetamine: A qualitative study examining participant experience of initiation and engagement

J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2024 Nov 6:169:209570. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209570. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alison K Beck¹, Briony Larance², Victoria Manning³, Frank P Deane², Amanda L Baker⁴, Leanne Hides⁵, Anthony Shakeshaft⁶, Angela Argent⁷, Peter J Kelly²

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: alisonbe@uow.edu.au.
² School of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Australia.
³ Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia; Turning Point, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Australia.
⁶ UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Formerly of SMART Recovery Australia, Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 39515469
DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209570

Abstract

Introduction: Improving support options for people who use methamphetamine is of critical national and global importance. The role of mutual-help groups within the treatment-seeking journey of people who use methamphetamine is unclear. Self-Management and Recovery Training ('SMART Recovery') mutual-help groups are led by a trained facilitator and support participants to work on individual goals, including, but not limited to abstinence. This study examined how people who use methamphetamine came to be involved in SMART Recovery mutual-help groups and factors associated with engagement.

Methods: A sample of Australian SMART Recovery participants who self-reported using methamphetamine in the preceding 12-months (n = 18) discussed their history of substance use and experience of service provision in a semi-structured telephone interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using iterative categorization.

Results: Participant initiation of SMART Recovery groups was described across two themes: i) delayed attendance and ii) use as an adjunct to other services. Factors associated with engagement were discussed in terms of: i) the 'fit' of SMART Recovery mutual-help groups; ii) coping and tolerance of discomfort; iii) the power of shared lived experience; iv) choice and autonomy; and v) short-term goal setting supports self-efficacy and the possibility of change.

Discussion and conclusions: SMART Recovery mutual-help groups show promise for engaging people who use methamphetamine. There is a clear need to improve awareness of mutual-help group options amongst service users, providers and the general community. Offering choice over mutual-help groups may help to engage people earlier and support improved linkage between services.

Keywords: Help-seeking; Lived experience; Methamphetamine; Mutual-help; SMART recovery; Substance use disorders.