SMART in Denmark
How did SMART Denmark begin?
It began in 2010 when Danish psychologist Bendt Skjold Hansen led the charge to bring SMART Recovery to Denmark. For years he had been exploring the theories and thoughts of Proschaskas and DiClemente, Ellis, Marlatt and others and found they were all engaged in the SMART Recovery program. Bendt saw that SMART Recovery would serve as a powerful alternative to existing available methods in helping people struggling with addiction.
The first three SMART Recovery groups began in 2011, and the network of practitioners grew slowly but steadily. From 2013 to 2016 SMART were selected to be a part of a government funded research program concerning primarily people with drug problems which resulted in further growth and an extensive evaluation proving the efficiency of the program. The funding made it possible to translate the manuals into Danish thereby transcend the limitations of on-line training and a highly effective in-person training program and learning environment was started.
What SMART Recovery programs do you currently run?
The most widespread activities in SMART Denmark are the regularly scheduled and facilitator lead SMART Recovery meetings. The meetings are held in eleven cities around the country and with many in the in and around Copenhagen. Some cities have expanded the program to include Family and Friends meetings.
Why do you think SMART Recovery is working in Denmark?
The SMART concept is relevant for people with addiction problems who want an alternative to the twelve-step model. Denmark is to a great extent a non-religious country and therefore the pragmatic approach that SMART embodies is very attractive to the Danish culture, which aligns with the basic principles of SMART. These principles based on the right of the individual to make their own choices and not surrender to a higher power appeals to Danes. The individual knows what will work best for them and SMART recognises that each individual has their own path, that one size does not fit all, and that enforcement of strict limitations and prohibitions are not necessary to successfully conquer addiction - on the contrary.
Are there any cultural challenges in delivering SMART Recovery in Denmark?
Yes - In a word; Funding.
In Denmark there is not a deep tradition of voluntary work within the field of addiction and zero tradition of donating money to drug treatment. The country is small, and we haven't been able to find donors willing to fund the programs.
Furthermore, because healthcare is traditionally free and paid for by the government, we do not have a strong fundraising mentality like in other countries, so our facilitators feel uncomfortable explaining the donation system to participants so that is a huge challenge because it to a great extend make us dependent on the cycle of government grants.
A third reason for our challenges might be that SMART Denmark started out within the field of drug abuse. People with drug addiction face deeper stigma compared to people with other addictions, for example alcohol, and we have not had the power yet to approach the field of alcoholism but hope to do so within the coming years to expand the benefits of the program to a wider segment of the population struggling with various forms of addictions.
Another minor challenge is the educational material. Although it has been translated into Danish, the illustrated case stories have not yet been localised to meet Danish culture and the experiences of Danes. For instance, when cases refer to the English pub culture which is non existing in Denmark, this can make it a challenge for Danes to relate to.
What plans and goals do you have for SMART Denmark?
To expand the program from eleven cities to cover the entire country. Just recently we have submitted applications for government funding. We should know by year end. If awarded it will enable us to meet that goal and allows us to expand services in smaller cities, rural areas and other underserved populations. During several years SMART Denmark was mainly driven by Bendt Skjold Hansen supported by a rotation of interns. During 2018 and 2019 an actual board consisting of experienced SMART facilitators/teachers/practitioners has been established. The board members are dedicated to the program and the shared vision of expanding SMART to all parts of Denmark and wider population of addicts within the next few years.
If we fail to get any funding, the board is dedicated to the mission to establish new SMART groups around the country but will have to extend the timeline and resources of a 100% volunteer basis.
A key goal is to strengthen the SMART organization by establishing a support network to attract more facilitators, provide ongoing education and increase retention by avoiding burn-out.
How do you say 'The Power of Choice' in Danish?
Valgets kraft
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is the rapid, empowering and positive changes that people in the SMART program experience that fuels our motivation to make the program available nationwide. It is wonderful to see how people grow and develop from one meeting to the next and watch how people grow by helping others.
Introducing the SMART Recovery Denmark Board
Top from left to right: Marianne, Nanna, Jan. Bottom from left to right: Trine, Nicolaj, Bendt, Joachim.
Tine Ladegaard
My name is Trine, and I was introduced to SMART Recovery as a manager of a volunteer center. I saw first-hand the immense impact in people's lives. We launched a three-year project which aimed to introduce and test the SMART method in a Danish context. We established and maintained two SMART Recovery groups for people with addiction and two support groups for relatives.
The results of the work inspired me to join the board in the beginning of 2018. I want to contribute to establishing a viable organization that offers SMART Recovery groups throughout Denmark. I have a solid background in volunteer management and organizational development and in my professional life I am currently the leader of a small NGO that works with volunteers in the public -school system.
Nicolaj Hockerup Olsen
I am Nicolaj H. Olsen, a family and businessman. I have been a part of the Danish board since the summer of 2019. I am a serial entrepreneur who struggled with addiction until discovering SMART. I am dedicating my business experience to drive the success of SMART and empower others to experience the life changing benefits that I myself has enjoyed.
Bendt Skjold Hansen
I am Bendt Skjold Hansen. After working for more than twenty years as a psychologist, and leader within the addiction field. I discovered SMART through some of the leading scientists in the field. Since 2011 I have been focused and dedicated to launch for SMART to become a recognized treatment methodology to benefit all Danes struggling with addiction. Since my retirement I have dedicated my time to serve as chairman of the Danish SMART board.
Email: bendt.s.hansen@gmail.com
Joachim Borup
My name is Joachim, and I was among the first people who took the SMART facilitator education in Denmark. I still remember when we were sitting during the night to go online with the US to become SMART Facilitators. At that time there were no such thing as a SMART Meeting in Denmark. However, we changed all that. Today there are many meetings throughout Denmark and that makes me really proud. I am a Social worker with a heart for volunteer work as well and I am a member of the SMART Board which consists of people with a great passion for volunteer work. I believe that people are different and have different needs and therefore I think that SMART Recovery is a great alternative to other established programs. It is simple, easy to use and a scientific approach which makes it really effective.
Marianne Baekboel
I am Marianne Baekboel. I became a part of the Danish Board in May 2019. I have worked as a drug abuse consultant for institutions, nine years as head of department in outpatient treatment facilities for adolescents, formed a national network of substance abuse consultants and as a journalist specializing in the field of drug abuse and treatment with articles published in major journals. My main focus is to support the organization communicating the power of the program through my network and my journalistic skills.
Nanna Schmidt, Secretary
My name is Nanna and I have been with SMART Recovery in Denmark since early 2014.
In the early days of SMART Recovery, I served as Bendt’s assistant through the many stages and challenges to establish the program in Denmark. Since the official formation of SRDK in 2018 I have formally been serving as Board Secretary. Additionally, I head the weekly strategy meetings of the board and have done so for 5 years and counting.
As a professional I work as an Anthropologist in the Copenhagen Municipal Rehabilitation Center where I help develop treatment programs for people with co-occurring disorders.
Jan Frederiksen
My name is Jan and I have been with SMART since 2011. Along with Bendt I attended the on-line facilitator class and together we started the first SMART meeting in Denmark. Since then I have led weekly meetings as well as I have been working as a self-employed psychotherapist. I am currently working on becoming a facilitator trainer and among other reasons I have joined the board in order to enhance the coordination of the Danish meetings.