The efficient intervention to young Australian adults of risky alcohol consumption: SMART recovery or alcoholics anonymous

Abstract. Risky Alcohol consumption arouses the large attention of the public because of its social burden and further side effects on young people in Australia. Alcoholics Anonymous is an older and better-known peer-led intervention against risky alcohol consumption depending on the religion in Australia. Since participants are difficult to adhere to, and the successful withdrawal rate is affected by many factors, such as attendance, adherence, etc., many people have questioned the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous. This paper presents another intervention, SMART Recovery, to compare the effectiveness, acceptability, side effect and further impact to find a better way for young people living with risky alcohol consumption in Australia. Although Alcoholics Anonymous enjoys a distinct advantage of a longer history and wider acceptance, the effectiveness of SMART Recovery is preferable depending on its professional implementation, precision, causality of effectiveness and fidelity. Despite of the data and research on attendance and adherence of SMART Recovery is less, the low acceptability of Alcoholics Anonymous has indicated the preponderance of SMART Recovery, especially for nonreligious. Meanwhile, more professional treatment of side effects and longer lasting positive effects for young people living with RAC are other advantages of SMART Recovery. SMART Recovery is a more effective intervention for young people living with RAC rather than Alcoholics Anonymous.