This instructive manual presents a pragmatic and clinically proven approach to the prevention and treatment of undergraduate alcohol abuse. The BASICS model is a nonconfrontational, harm reduction approach that helps students reduce their alcohol consumption and decrease the behavioral and health risks associated with heavy drinking. Including numerous reproducible handouts and assessment forms, the book takes readers step-by-step through conducting BASICS assessment and feedback sessions. Special topics covered include the use of DSM-IV criteria to evaluate alcohol abuse, ways to counter student defensiveness about drinking, and obtaining additional treatment for students with severe alcohol dependency. Note about Photocopy Rights: The Publisher grants individual book purchasers nonassignable permission to reproduce selected figures, information sheets, and assessment instruments in this book for professional use. For details and limitations, see copyright page.

Developed in 1993 at the University of Washington, Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a preventive intervention program to reduce drinking and enhance awareness about alcohol-related issues. BASICS targets college students who are considered at risk because of heavy drinking behaviors. The brief intervention relies primarily on a motivational interview to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and insight into the consequences of drinking. As originally designed, the student meets with a counselor for two 45-minute sessions, usually a week apart. The first session is feedback and the interview style is acceptance-based and nonjudgmental. The goal is to help students examine their drinking objectively and provide them with feedback and healthy recommendations. This paper presents evidence on the effects of BASICS and similar theory-based interventions for college students. A list of resources is included.

Alcohol misuse by students is a prevalent public health problem on college campuses across the nation. Underage drinking and binge drinking are two distinct forms of alcohol misuse that are common among college students and often result in negative consequences for the students, the universities, and the surrounding communities. As a result, there is an increasing need for universities to provide targeted intervention programs for students who misuse alcohol. Furthermore, it is important that the selected interventions are capable of successful implementation on campus. The University of Mississippi currently utilizes the Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention for College Students (BASICS) program for students who violate university alcohol policies. The purpose of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of the BASICS program at the University of Mississippi and determine the extent to which this program is being implemented in its intended manner. The evaluation was conducted by attending the BASICS training session for providers, interviewing the Assistant Director for Student Health and the former program director, analyzing BASICS records, and observing individual and group counseling sessions. Findings indicate that BASICS at the University of Mississippi is not being implemented as intended, due to less individual counseling sessions and the lack of motivational interviewing (MI) utilized during individual counseling sessions. Two recommendations include the addition of individual counseling sessions and the use of a MI trainer to instruct providers on proper implementation.

There is too much high-risk alcohol use among high-risk groups such as student athletes and first-year students. The objectives of the evaluation of the development and implementation of BASICS include: (a) to aid in the development of program goals and objectives, (b) to review the literature pertaining to BASICS implementation at other colleges and universities, (c) to create program documents and disseminate program information to program members, (d) to collaborate with Drexel staff on program development, planning and advertisement, and (e) to provide recommendations for future programs, research, evaluation and policies relating to alcohol education for students. The methods of this project included literature reviews, research, creation of program documents, disseminating information to project members, and participation in developmental meetings with program members. BASICS was developed and implemented for first-year student-athletes. BASICS was unsuccessful in gaining an appropriate number of student-counselors to conduct more than 2 sessions per week. BASICS was also unsuccessful in gaining participation among Drexel first-year student-athletes. However, BASICS was successful in gaining approval by key members of the University including: Dr. Eric Zillmer, Athletic Director, Kathleen O rien, Assistant Director of Academic Services in the Athletic Department, and Dr. Robert Chapman, Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Behavioral Health Counseling program at Drexel University. BASICS has been identified as a potentially effective program when students who have identified problems or concerns with alcohol are required or highly recommended to participate. More support among potentially influential individuals on campus and new pathways for recruitment should occur before future implementation of BASICS. BASICS has the potential to be an effective alcohol prevention, screening and education program at Drexel. Drexel student-athletes experience unique time constraints due to the 10 week quarter system; therefore, BASICS may not be the most efficient program for student-athletes. There are other factors to take into consideration for implementing BASICS in the future. Currently Drexel is preparing to implement a Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP). MAP has the potential to open opportunities for alcohol education and prevention programs, due to the requirement of the policy for students to be entered into an alcohol education program.