Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS)
Problems addressed
Alcohol abuse
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a brief motivational interviewing program designed to help university students make better decisions about alcohol abuse based on a clear understanding of the risks and problems associated with the consumption of this substance.
The intervention is carried out through two short interviews, which encourage a change in consumption patterns. The style of the program is empathetic, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown that, after a three-month follow-up period, participants who abused alcohol showed significantly greater reductions in their measures of alcohol consumption, with effects seen up to nine months after taking part in the program [1] [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Marlatt, G. A., Baer, J. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Dimeff, L. A., Larimer, M. E., Quigley, L. A., ... & Williams, E. (1998). Screening and brief intervention for high-risk college student drinkers: results from a 2-year follow-up assessment. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 66(4), 604-615. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.66.4.604

[2] Baer, J. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Blume, A. W., McKnight, P., & Marlatt, G. A. (2001). Brief intervention for heavy-drinking college students: 4-year follow-up and natural history. American Journal of Public Health, 91(8), 1310-1316. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.91.8.1310

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