With an estimated 1,700 alcohol-related deaths each year among college students, according to statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, colleges and universities across the nation have implemented a variety of programs aimed at reducing or preventing risky drinking.
Reducing College Binge Drinking
Scott Walters, Ph.D,, associate professor at the The University of Texas School of Public Health, believes a 45-minute counseling session combined with a personalized feedback profile can have an effect on college binge drinkers. In his study of 279 heavy-drinking students, those exposed to Walters' intervention method consumed 5.26 fewer drinks per week than the control group which received assessment only.The intervention group recorded lower blood alcohol concentration levels than the control group and scored lower on an alcohol problem assessment test.
The Motivational Interview
The reason many college students drink heavily is because they believe everyone else drinks heavily. During the 45-minute motivational interview, Walters' researchers tried to correct misconceptions of drinking norms on campuses.Heavy drinking students usually think that other students are more permissive of drinking and drunkenness than they actually are.
Students were asked to estimate how their drinking compared to other students on campus. The average student guessed that 43% of students drank more than they did. Actually, only 17% drank more. "It can be a real eye-opener. It just never occurred to them that their drinking was above the norm," said Walters in a news release.
The Personalized Feedback Profile
In his study, Walters used the e-CHUG feedback profile produced by counselors and psychologists at San Diego State University. The online e-CHUG program is designed to motivate students to assess their alcohol consumption using personalized information about their own drinking patterns and risk factors.The e-CHUG program has been used by 400 colleges in 42 states. The profile takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The personal reflections section takes students an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Walters believes using online tools such at e-CHUG is an effective way for universities to help reduce risky drinking, especially among student who are most at risk.
Walters is author of the book, "Talking with College Students about Alcohol: Motivational Strategies for Reducing Abuse."
Source:
Walters, Scott T., et al. "Dismantling motivational interviewing and feedback for college drinkers: A randomized clinical trial." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology February 2009.
