National Recovery Month: SMART Recovery in Cortland
This September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate that treatment works, people do recover, and communities can heal together. The 2025 theme, “Recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life),” underscores that with the right support and tools, recovery is possible. Since 1989, communities across the country have recognized Recovery Month each September to highlight evidence-based care and the people and providers who make recovery possible.
If you or someone you care about is exploring options for addiction recovery, there’s a new opportunity in Cortland that may be the right fit. SMART Recovery meetings are now being held every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at Access to Independence (26 N Main St, Cortland, NY) - and they’re open to anyone looking to build a life free from addictive behaviors or harmful habits.
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a science-based recovery program designed to help people gain independence from addiction, whether it’s to substances like alcohol and drugs or behaviors like gambling, overeating, or internet use. It’s grounded in psychology, especially tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, and focuses on empowering people to manage their own recovery.
SMART Recovery is for anyone who wants to change their relationship with addictive behaviors or harmful habits. Whether you're just starting to question your use, looking for ongoing support, or seeking a non-religious, practical alternative to 12-step programs, SMART welcomes you.
You don’t need to call yourself an "addict" or commit to labels. The focus is on moving forward, building motivation, learning practical tools, and making lasting change.
While 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have helped many people, they’re not the only path. SMART Recovery is non-religious, non-labeling, and self-empowering. There are no sponsors, no steps, and no requirement to identify as powerless.
Instead, SMART offers structured tools and strategies to help people build and sustain motivation, cope with urges, manage thoughts and feelings, and create a life of balance and fulfillment.
SMART Recovery is centered on four key areas of change:
Building and maintaining motivation
Coping with urges
Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Living a balanced life
Each meeting focuses on one or more of these points, with discussions, exercises, and peer support that allow participants to apply the tools to their own lives in real, meaningful ways.
Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. People deserve options. SMART Recovery offers a flexible, modern approach that respects each person’s ability to make decisions for themselves. You set your own goals, define what success looks like for you, and move at your own pace.
If you’ve ever felt like traditional programs didn’t quite fit, or you’re just curious to try something different, SMART Recovery might be exactly what you're looking for.
No registration is required. Just show up, bring an open mind, and take one step toward a healthier, more self-directed future.
For questions or more information, feel free to reach out to meeting facilitator Hallie Sebastian by emailing hsebastian@nyrhi.org