Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students
Program Description
The Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a harm-reduction program for college students aged 18-24 who engage in heavy drinking. The program consists of two individual sessions within three months, focusing on students' drinking habits, social norms, and personal risks. It uses motivational interviewing to encourage safer drinking behaviors, reduce negative outcomes, and promote informed decision-making. BASICS is adaptable to various settings and is conducted by trained professionals to help students develop moderation strategies and coping skills for alcohol-related risks.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Alcohol | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | 18-25 | Moderate (White)1-2 |
| Alcohol | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | 18-25 | Strong (White)1-5 |
| References
1 Turrisi R, et al., (2009). A randomized clinical trial evaluating a combined alcohol intervention for high-risk college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 70:555-567. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2009.70.555 2 Murphy JG, et al. (2010). Computerized versus motivational interviewing alcohol interventions: impact on discrepancy, motivation, and drinking. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 24(4):628-639. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021347 3 Larimer ME, et al. (2001). Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62:370-380. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.2001.62.370 4 Terlecki, MA, et al. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of BASICS for heavy drinking mandated and volunteer undergraduates: 12-month outcomes. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 29(1):2-16. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000056 5 Marlatt GA, et al., (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 6 Tomaka J, et al. (2012). An evaluation of the BASICS alcohol risk reduction model among predominantly Hispanic college students. Substance Use U& Misuse. 47(12):1260-1270. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2012.692754 |
|||
Training and Technical Assistance
The BASICS website recommends referring to the BASICS book, Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS): A harm reduction approach (1999) for information about the intervention. The developers advise that the practice can be implemented by providers who are trained in motivational interviewing. For information about training, contact Dr. Jason Kilmer at jkilmer@uwashington.edu.
Adaptations
BASICS has been adapted for virtual implementation, implementation with text messaging, and been translated into German and Portuguese. It has also been implemented in tribal colleges and universities.
Program Costs
Please visit the developer’s website listed above for updated information about implementation costs.
What California Providers Are Saying
We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing BASICS. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Selective,
Indicated,
Individual,
Community/Society, community society,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Problem identification and referral,
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies
Connection to More Services,
Motivational Enhancement,
Psychoeducation,
Self-efficacy/self-esteem enhancement,
Self-monitoring,
Skills Training,
Early and persistent antisocial behavior,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens,
High self-esteem,
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture,
Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Accessibility of substances,
Academic failure,
Low commitment to school,
Norms favorable towards substance use,
Peer aggression or violence,
Substance use among peers,
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use,
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community,
Positive social norms,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
Age 21-24, Ages 21-24,
Students in College,
No parent/caregiver involvement,
Alcohol,
College or University,
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (unlicensed),
Health/social work counselor, therapist or professional (licensed),
health social work counselor,
Prevention Staff,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators,