Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for Colleges Students (BASICS) is a preventive alcohol abuse program for college aged students. Though it is generally aimed at students who drink alcohol heavily, it can also be educational for any student, no matter their level of drinking. Most students who attend BASICS are students who have either gotten a minor alcohol violation and/or are at risk for alcohol-related problems such as poor class attendance, missed assignments, accidents, sexual assault, and violence.  Students are generally court mandated to attend BASICS however students may set up sessions themselves if they are concerned about their own use or are would like to learn more.

Following a harm reduction approach, BASICS aims to motivate students to reduce alcohol use and to make better alcohol-related decisions.  Based on principles of motivational interviewing, BASICS is delivered in an empathetic, non-confrontational, and nonjudgmental manner, and it:

• Reduces the adverse effects of alcohol consumption
• Promotes reduced drinking
• Promotes healthier choices among young adults
• Provides important information and coping skills for risk reduction
• Teaches how to look for signs of concern that substance use may be heading into the direction of a substance use disorder.

For more information about the BASICS program, click here.