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 students 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 students
  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 _at_ 646-2731