The focus of the project has shifted.

This study identifies whether and how online support groups may work to confer therapeutic benefits onto its participants.

Online support groups (e.g., SMART Recovery) are an increasingly common non-professional intervention for people who engage in problematic alcohol use, but it is unclear how they help participants reduce their use.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether alcohol use decreases more after attending online SMART Recovery psychoeducational support group meetings, as compared to receiving psychoeducational content alone.

The secondary objectives are to identify whether variables such as quality of life and recovery capital (i.e., resources to support recovery from addiction) relate to treatment outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Is fluent in English and have a 6th grade reading level or higher
• AUDIT score of ≥8
• Has some desire to cut down or quit their alcohol use
• Has access to a phone or computer with reliable internet connection, a functional microphone and camera
• Is willing to consent to being audio and video recorded during the meetings

Exclusion Criteria:

• Is not able to commit to the 6 weeks of intervention and the one- and three-month follow-up.
• Has vulnerable population status (e.g., pregnant people, prisoners)