BASICS Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention of College Students

OutcomesOn average, students who drinkheavily as freshmen tend to reportfew negative consequences over timeas the reasons for drinking diminishor change. However, those whoreceived BASICS reported fewer consequencesand more rapid change.The risk period for young adults maythus be minimized through this briefintervention. Other independentstudies suggest that receivingpersonal feedback is a critical part ofthe BASICS program. Those receivinggeneral alcohol education withoutthe feedback did not fare as well asthose receiving BASICS.Changes in alcohol-use related negativeconsequences experienced by college studentsreceiving BASICS and comparison groupsNegative consequencesexperienced by students1.30.80.3-0.2Normative Comparison GroupHigh-Risk Comparison GroupBASICS GroupBaseline 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 YearNormative comparison group: students not involved in heavy drinkingHigh-risk comparison group: heavy drinkers not receiving the BASICSinterventionTARGET POPULATIONBASICS was designed for college students 18 to 24 years old who drinkheavily and have experienced negative consequences as a result. The programis not designed for students who are alcohol dependent, but it can beused as part of a stepped-care approach for assessment, advice, and referralto specialty care. BASICS has been evaluated with non–treatment-seekingstudents in large, traditional university settings but may be tailored for usewith young adults in other settings such as the military.BENEFITS• Increases students’ awareness of the risks associated with alcohol use• Fosters safer alcohol-use choices such as when, where, and how muchto drink• Young adults gain increased awareness of alcohol-impaired choices thatcan lead to health problems, social difficulties, and/or legal problemsHOW IT WORKSAs a harm reduction approach, BASICS aims to motivate students to reducerisky behaviors rather than focus on a specific drinking goal such as abstinenceor reduced drinking. Students can be identified through routinescreening or through referral from medical, housing, or disciplinary services.There are two 50-minute interviews. Before or after the first interview, thestudent receives a self-report questionnaire to complete. From the questionnaireand the first interview, information is gathered about the student’s—• Alcohol consumption pattern• Personal beliefs about alcohol• Understanding of social alcohol norms• Family historyThe second interview, which occurs approximately 1 week after the initialinterview, provides the student with—• Personalized feedback on myths about alcohol’s effects• Facts on alcohol norms• Ways to reduce future risks associated with alcohol use• A menu of options to assist in making changesIMPLEMENTATION ESSENTIALSBASICS can be implemented in a variety of settings, including universityhealth and mental health centers, residential units, and administrativeoffices. Private offices are needed for confidential interviews.SAMHSA Model Programs • http://model

Training and MaterialsTraining (or supervision by trained personnel) is recommended to implementBASICS and depending on staff experience, it can be completed in 1to 2 days. Trainees need interviewing skills, and many paraprofessionals caneffectively deliver the program. Training encompasses knowledge of alcoholuse among college students and specific clinical techniques such as nonconfrontationalinterviewing. The BASICS workbook, available throughGuilford Press, provides the information and charts needed for conductingthe interviews. The developers of BASICS can provide onsite and offsitetraining.Evaluation and Technical AssistanceProgram implementation requires the development of assessment and feedbacktools tailored to the specific setting and population. The BASICS workbookprovides sample tools and additional information, and assistance can beobtained through consultation with the program developers. Several genericWeb-based forms for assessment and feedback are also available (e.g., e-chug.com and mystudentbody.com), which instructors can use to help developfeedback for students.PROGRAM BACKGROUNDBASICS was developed based on two active areas of research in alcohol treatment:cognitive-behavioral group treatment and brief interventions in addictiontreatment. The developers of BASICS and their colleagues spent morethan 15 years developing and testing the efficacy of prevention programswith college students. The majority of students met the diagnostic criteria foralcohol abuse. Two studies showed that a 6-week alcohol-use prevention programfor groups of students had been effective but time consuming. Theprogram was based on cognitive-behavioral treatment and designed to challengemyths about the effects of alcohol and teach risk reduction. A comparisongroup received brief advice during a single supportive interview thatincluded assessment and feedback from a group leader. The students receivingbrief advice appeared to achieve similar effective results.TARGET AREASProtective Factors To IncreaseIndividual• Awareness of personal drinking patterns• Ability to challenge beliefs in myths aboutalcohol norms and effects• Awareness of personal vulnerability• Awareness of alcohol’s negative consequencesrelated to health, social, and/orlegal problems• Concern about social embarrassment as adeterrent to heavy drinking• Awareness of better and safer choices• Increased involvement in safe, alcohol-freeactivities• Awareness that moderate drinking can be asenjoyable as heavy, hazardous drinkingRisk Factors To DecreaseIndividual• Erroneous attitudes about heavy drinking• False information about alcohol absorption,metabolism, and blood alcohol effects• Belief that negative effects of alcohol “won’thappen to me”Brief interventions in addiction treatment typically include careful assessmentof drinking patterns, risks, and symptoms, followed by empathetic advice tomake changes. Such brief interventions had been shown to be effective fordrinking behavior among adult heavy drinkers seeking treatment but had notyet been developed for alcohol-nondependent young adults.programs.samhsa.gov • 1 877 773 8546

HERE’S PROOF PREVENTION WORKSEVALUATION DESIGNBASICS has been evaluated with randomized longitudinal designs. In thesestudies, student volunteers were recruited and assessed, then selected accordingto their drinking practices. Students who drank heavily were most commonlychosen, but students were also selected if they lived in a heavy-drinking settingsuch as a fraternity house. Students were then randomly assigned to receiveBASICS or not. In some studies, a control program was added in which studentsreceived some other preventive program. At a later date, all students werereassessed and the groups’ drinking practices were compared. In four randomizedstudies, to date, students receiving BASICS reported less drinking and/orfewer negative consequences of drinking compared to those not receivingBASICS. In one study, differences were observed 4 years after the baselineassessment.PROGRAM DEVELOPERG. Alan Marlatt, Ph.DBASICS was developed with the support of research grants from the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on AlcoholAbuse and Alcoholism to Dr. G. Alan Marlatt at the University of Washington.Coinvestigators in the development of the first evaluation study were John S.Baer, Ph.D., and Daniel R. Kivlahan, Ph.D. Dr. Marlatt and his associates areclinical research psychologists who have focused on the development of innovativeprograms for addictive behaviors. They seek to broaden the base of healthservices for individuals with a range of alcohol- and drug-related problems.CONTACT INFORMATIONG. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D.Addictive Behaviors Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyBox 35125University of WashingtonSeattle, WA 98195Phone: (206) 685-1395Fax: (206) 685-1310E-mail: marlatt@u.washington.eduJohn S. Baer, Ph.D.S-116-ATCVA Medical Center1660 S. Columbia WaySeattle, WA 98108Phone: (206) 768-5224Fax: (206) 764-2293E-mail: jsbaer@u.washington.eduRECOGNITIONModel Program—Substance Abuse and MentalHealth Services Administration, U.S.Department of Health and Human Serviceshttp://modelprograms.samhsa.gov • 1 877 773 8546