People who are struggling with controlling their alcohol and drug use are invited to attend the SMART Recovery (Self Management and Recovery Training) weekly meetings in Port Macquarie.

SMART is a global group-based program using evidence-based tools to help people manage addictive behaviours

Trained facilitator Adam Dean, who volunteers with the charitable organisation SMART Recovery Australia, leads the meetings at the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre.

"SMART is about helping people to control their addictive behaviour," Adam said.

"For some people, control means cutting back, for others it means stopping altogether."

Adam is studying a Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs at TAFE in his free time.

He wants to help people lead a happier life.

SMART Recovery Australia embraces a harm minimisation philosophy, which views control over addictive behaviour as an achievement.

Abstinence is not the only way to recover from addiction.

SMART Recovery Australia's national program coordinator Josette Freeman said if someone who drinks for seven days a week is able to change to drinking five or six days, that's success.

The program, which was established in the US in 1994, has more than 300 meetings across Australia and New Zealand,

No registration is required to attend the Port Macquarie group.

Each sessions runs for 90 minutes.

Participants can attend if they are still using but must be sober in the meeting.

Each participant has an opportunity to set their own weekly goals and the group helps them come up with ideas on how to achieve them.

The Port Macquarie SMART meetings run from 5pm to 6.30pm on Mondays at Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre on the corner of Dodds and Muston streets.

It is free to attend but a small donation is appreciated.

For more information about SMART Recovery Australia visit the charity's website or call Adam Dean on 0418 698 193.

"If you have any questions, can't make it to the meetings or just want to have a chat, feel free to give me a call," Adam said.

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