BASICS Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students: A Harm Reduction Approach

1. BASICSBrief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students: A Harm Reduction Approach Jason Vasquez, M.A. Wellness, Alcohol and Violence Education (W.A.V.E.) Program

2. What is BASICS? • It is a preventative intervention for college students ages 18-24 who have experienced negative consequences as a result of their drinking. • It is aimed toward high risk drinkers who have come to the attention of NMSU housing and judicial affairs.

3. How does BASICS help students? • BASICS is designed to: • Help students make better choices regarding their alcohol consumption. • Reduce alcohol consumption and its negative consequences. • Provide information about coping skills related to risk reduction. • The program style is empathic and not confrontational or judgmental.

4. What is different about BASICS? • The goal of the BASICS intervention is to reduce the risky behaviors and harmful consequences associated with drinking. This distinguishes BASICS from traditional alcohol-use interventions that focus on specific drinking goals like abstinence. • BASICS treats drinking behaviors as though they are on a continuum with the majority of college students not needing more intensive intervention than what the BASICS intervention can provide.

5. How does BASICS work? • The components of BASICS target students’ misinformation, lack of information, poor coping skills, developmental stage, and personal or environmental risk characteristics, such as student beliefs about alcohol and peer group norms.

6. What does the research say about BASICS? • BASICS is an empirically-validated, well established drinking intervention designed for use with college students. Research has shown the BASICS program to be effective for changing drinking and related behaviors in college undergraduates. • The BASICS intervention has led to significant reductions in drinking, as well as decreased incidents of students missing school, or work. These benefits have been shown to extend out for as long as 4 years following completion of the program.

7. What happens in the BASICS sessions? • Students come in for two 50-minute sessions. During the first session, the counselor assesses the student’s alcohol consumption patterns, peer and familial influences, and other risk factors associated with problem drinking. This is done through a clinical interview and the use of an online assessment tool called E-Chug. • During the second session, the counselor educates the student about the negative consequences of alcohol use, behaviors contributing to risk patterns, and common misconceptions about alcohol and its effects. During this session, the student will also learn about the typical drinking habits of college students. This information about social norms is re-emphasized in the personalized feedback part of the intervention.  

8. What is the personalized feedback? • This feedback is derived from the interview and E-Chug assessment. It is focused on ways the student can reduce future health risks associated with his or her drinking by offering specific coping strategies to reduce these alcohol-related risks. • A second goal is to increase the student’s motivation to change risky behaviors by using motivational interviewing techniques.

9. What is Motivational Interviewing? • Motivational interviewing is based on the transtheoretical model of change. This model provides a framework for understanding behavior rather than a theory of behavior. This model posits that the behavioral change process is a continuum, starting at not perceiving a need for change, to taking specific actions to effect desired change.

10. Stages of Change Process

11. CASE Example “F” • 18 year old freshman male • Drinks 3 times a week • Has 7 drinks per sitting (both mixed drinks & beer) • Has “blacked out 4 times” in the past 6 months. • Was referred by judicial services for under age drinking.

12. Session 1 • Behavioral & Clinical Observations: • Highly resistant • Angry • Says this is a “waste of time.” • How were you referred to BASICS? • Second alcohol related offense on campus • Personal History • Started binge drinking alcohol in college • Family history of alcohol abuse

13. Session 1 (cont.) • Positive & Negative Consequences of Drinking • Sees few negative consequences • Positive consequences include: a) relaxation and b) to have a good time with peers. • Motivation for Change • Appears to be in “pre-contemplation stage.” • E-Chug online assessment

14. Session 2 • E-Chug Profile is interpreted: • Spends ¼ of his income on alcohol • Has a high self reported tolerance for alcohol • Drinks an average of 10 beers 2 times per week • Is at a high risk for experiencing alcohol related problems • Long term Effects of Binge Drinking is overviewed • Safety tips for preventing alcohol poisoning are discussed.

15. Session 2 (cont.) • Strategies for safe drinking are presented and discussed. • Motivation for change: Student appears to be more ready to make changes. Seems to be in “contemplation stage”. • Student agrees to sign a drinking limit agreement. • Referral information is given to him.

16. Where to go for BASICS? • In association with Counseling and Student Develoment, the Student Health Center provides the BASICS intervention through a counselor. • Appointments are made directly through the Student Health Center: 646-2172

17. Who do I contact if I have any questions? • Contact Jason Vasquez @ 646-2731