Starting SMART Recovery Ireland

Initially, SMART started as a local pilot programme in Bray, Co. Wicklow.  This was through the Bray Community Addiction Team (BCAT) which is a long-standing community-based initiative.  BCAT was the first to start a number of SMART Recovery meetings in Ireland, between April 2013 and April 2014. The ultimate aim was and is that SMART be a self-sustaining network of peer-led groups with its own governing body and infrastructure.   

In 2018, SMART Recovery Ireland CLG was formed to develop and implement a governance structure, training programme and a strategic plan to bring forward peer involvement for the long-term sustainability of SMART Recovery in Ireland. SMART Recovery Ireland CLG operates under license from SMART Recovery International.

With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, all SMART Recovery Irelands face to face meetings have been suspended leaving the organisation with the challenge of putting together an online offering that was appropriate and would replicate what could be expected at a face to face meeting.  It was important that the online setting was welcoming, practical and a productive platform for those existing participants as well for those that wished to address their problematic addictive behaviours.  

It is important to make sure that people have a resource available to them during this time, a resource that promotes and builds motivation, helps with the challenge of urges, as well as managing damaging thoughts, feelings and behaviours while allowing for growth and ultimately helping the participant to live a balanced life.  

Embracing an online meeting can be challenging for people and we try and make it as informal as possible but we still have meeting guidelines in place to ensure that the meeting is conducted in accordance with the standard guideline.  This is to ensure that, although the “location” is different, it is still conducted in the same way.

You can find out more about the work of SMART Recovery Ireland through their website.

Amanda Quigley is SMART Recovery Ireland’s National Coordinator. Amanda holds a Hons degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from ICHAS and also holds, a BSc in Business Studies, a Diploma in addiction and is currently completing a Master’s in Education. With many years’ experience of working within the community and voluntary sector in recovery, both in mental health and addiction challenges. Amanda is a trained SMART Recovery facilitator and she brings experience and knowledge from Education, Counselling, Project Management and Training. Amanda is an accredited counsellor with Addiction Counsellors Ireland (ACI), and National Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NAPCP).

Darren O’Brien is the Chairperson of the Board of SMART Recovery Ireland. Daren has an Hons degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Masters in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is currently working in the Addictions services. Darren was one of the first to train as a SMART facilitator in Ireland prior to the pilot phase. In addition to his involvement with SMART Recovery Ireland Darren is also an active board member of a number of community and voluntary organisations and is an accredited counsellor with Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI).