“The SMART Program is a Refuge:” The Potential of SMART Recovery for Individuals in Prison with Substance Use Disorder

• In Event: How Qualitative Methods can Inform Health and Healthcare in Prisons and Jails

Abstract

The prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) is disproportionately high among people in U.S. prisons, where national data show 53% of people in prison met the criteria for an SUD. The availability and type of treatment for SUD for incarcerated people varies tremendously across states, and the SMART Recovery model—an evidence-informed, mutual support, community-based behavioral health program—has been used in justice settings across more than a dozen U.S. states for over two decades. However, no implementation or outcome evaluations on the efficacy of SMART Recovery currently exist. To provide preliminary insight on SMART Recovery, we use post-completion personal narratives from 57 participants in medium/maximum prison facilities in two different states who had recently finished a SMART Recovery program. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify key themes across the experiences of these individuals, we identify (1) perceived ways that participants felt they changed as a result of participation and (2) the aspects of SMART that they identified as liking the most. Building on the results of these analyses, we discuss four key aspects of SMART Recovery that highlight why it offers a compelling model for addressing SUD among justice-involved persons.

Authors

• Jennifer Bronson, PIRE

• Tamara Daley, Abt Global