Motivational/feedback-based approach

Brief motivational intervention (BMI): In-person—Individual (e.g., BASICS)

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BMI combines a brief intervention with motivational interviewing. BMI emphasizes personal responsibility and self-efficacy of participants, offering them personalized feedback on their alcohol use, risks, expectancies, perceptions of social norms, and options for reducing problems and consequences. Discussions are guided by a trained facilitator. Goals for behavioral change are set by participants.

One such BMI, which is the model after which most BMIs are patterned, is the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS). BASICS involves initial screening to identify high-risk drinkers, subsequent baseline assessment to generate personalized feedback, and then a one-on-one meeting with the trained facilitator to review the feedback. In the original studies of BASICS, baseline assessment was completed in-person; participants were asked to self-monitor drinking for 2 weeks, then return for a second session to review their personalized feedback. More recent research has eliminated the first in-person meeting, opting instead to complete baseline assessment via the web.

Effectiveness: = Higher effectiveness
Cost: $$ = Mid-range
Barriers: ## = Moderate
Research Amount: **** = 11+ studies

Public Health Reach: Focused
Primary Modality: In-person individual
Staffing Expertise Needed: Health professional and coordinator
Target Population: Individuals or specific groups
Duration of Effects: Short-term (< 6 months) and long-term (≥ 6 months) effects

Effectiveness ratings are based on the percentage of studies reporting any positive outcomes. Strategies with three or fewer studies did not receive an effectiveness rating due to the limited data on which to base a conclusion. Cost ratings are based on the relative program and staff costs for adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a strategy. Actual costs will vary by institution, depending on size, existing programs, and other campus and community factors. Barriers to implementing a strategy include cost and opposition, among other factors. Public health reach refers to the number of students that a strategy affects. Strategies with a broad reach affect all students or a large group of students (e.g., all underage students); strategies with a focused reach affect individuals or small groups of students (e.g., sanctioned students). Research amount/quality refers to the number of randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the strategy. Duration of effects refers to the timeframe within which the intervention demonstrated effects on alcohol-related behavioral outcomes; follow-up periods for short-term effects were <6 months; follow-up periods for long-term effects were ≥6 months.

Larimer, M.E.; and Cronce, J.M. Identification, prevention and treatment: A review of individual-focused strategies to reduce problematic alcohol consumption by college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol (Suppl. 14):148–63, 2002.

Baer, J.S.; Marlatt, G.A.; Kivlahan, D.R.; Fromme, K.; Larimer, M.E.; and Williams, E. An experimental test of three methods of alcohol risk reduction with young adults. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 60:974-79, 1992.
Borsari, B.; and Carey, K.B. Effects of a brief motivational intervention with college student drinkers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 68:728–33, 2000.
Dimeff, L.A.; and McNeely, M. Computer-enhanced primary care practitioner advice for high-risk college drinkers in a student primary health-care setting. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 7: 82-100, 2000.
Larimer, M.E.; Turner, A.P.; Anderson, B.K.; Fader, J.S.; Kilmer, J.R.; Palmer, R.S.; et al. Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 62(3):370–80, 2001.
Marlatt, G.A.; Baer, J.S.; Kivlahan, D.R.; Dimeff, L.A.; Larimer, M.E.; Quigley, L.A.; et al. Screening and brief intervention for high-risk college student drinkers: Results from a two-year follow-up assessment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 66(4):604–15, 1998.
Monti, P.M.; Colby, S.M.; Barnett, N.P.; Spirito, A.; Rohsenow, D.J.; Myers, M.; et al. Brief intervention for harm reduction with alcohol-positive older adolescents in a hospital emergency department. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 67(6):989–94, 1999.

Larimer, M.E.; and Cronce, J.M. Identification, prevention, and treatment revisited: Individual-focused college drinking prevention strategies 1999–2006. Addictive Behaviors 32:2439–68, 2007.

Barnett, N.P.; Murphy, J.G.; Colby, S.M.; and Monti, P.M. Efficacy of counselor vs. computer delivered intervention with mandated college students. Addictive Behaviors 31:2629−48, 2007.
Borsari, B.; and Carey, K.B. Two brief alcohol interventions for mandated college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 19(3):296−302, 2005.
Carey, K.B.; Carey, M.P.; Maisto, S.A.; and Henson, J.M. Brief motivational interventions for heavy college drinkers: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 74(5):943−54, 2006.
Gregory, B. College alcohol and life skills study with student-athletes. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Boca Raton, FL: Florida Atlantic University, 2001.
McNally, A.; and Palfai, T.P. Brief group alcohol interventions with college students: Examining motivational components . Journal of Drug Education 33(2):159−76, 2003.
McNally, A.M.; Palfai, T.P.; and Kahler, C.W. Motivational interventions for heavy drinking college students: Examining the role of discrepancy-related psychological processes . Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 19(1):79−87, 2005.
Murphy, J.G.; Duchnick, J.J.; Vuchinich, R.E.; Davison, J.W.; Karg, R.S.; Olson, A.M.; et al. Relative efficacy of a brief motivational intervention for college student drinkers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 15(4):373–9, 2001.
Murphy, J.G.; Benson, T.A.; Vuchinich, R.E.; Deskins, M.M.; Eakin, D.; Flood, A.M.; et al. A comparison of personalized feedback for college student drinkers delivered with and without motivational interview . Journal of Studies on Alcohol 65(2):200–3, 2004.
Neal DJ & Carey KB. Developing discrepancy within self regulation theory: Use of personalized normative feedback and personal strivings with heavy-drinking college students. Addictive Behaviors, 29(2):281–97, 2004.
White, H.R.; Morgan, T.J.; Pugh, L.A.; Celinska, K.; Labouvie, E.W.; and Pandina, R.J. Evaluating two brief substance use interventions for mandated college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 67(2):309−17, 2006.

Cronce J.M.; and Larimer M.E. Individual-focused approaches to the prevention of college student drinking. Alcohol Research and Health, 34(2):210–21, 2011.

Amaro, H.; Ahl, M.; Matsumoto, A.; Prado, G.; Mulé, C.; Kemmemer, A.; et al. Trial of the university assistance program for alcohol use among mandated students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (Suppl.16):45–56, 2009.
Butler, L.H.; and Correia, C.J. Brief alcohol intervention with college student drinkers: Face-to-face versus computerized feedback. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 23(1):163–7, 2009.
Carey, K.B.; Carey, M.P.; Maisto, S.A.; and Henson, J.M. Computer versus in-person intervention for students violating campus alcohol policy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 77(1):74–87, 2009.
Carey, K.B.; Carey, M.P.; Henson, J.M.; et al. Brief alcohol interventions for mandated college students: Comparison of face-to-face counseling and computer-delivered interventions. Addiction 106(3):528–37, 2011.
Doumas, D.M.; and Hannah, E. Preventing high-risk drinking in youth in the workplace: A Web-based normative feedback program. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 34(3):263–71, 2008.
Hansson, H.; Rundberg, J.; Zetterlind, U.; Johnsson, K.O.; and Berglund, M. Two-year outcome of an intervention program for university students who have parents with alcohol problems: A randomized controlled trial. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 31(11):1927–33, 2007.
Schaus, J.F.; Sole, M.L.; McCoy, T.P.; Mullett, N.; and O’Brien, M.C. Alcohol screening and brief intervention in a college student health center: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (Suppl. 16):131–41, 2009.
Turrisi, R.; Larimer, M.E.; Mallett, K.A.; Kilmer, J.R.; Ray, A.E.; and Mastroleo, N.R. A randomized clinical trial evaluating a combined alcohol intervention for high-risk college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 70(4):555–67, 2009.
Walters, S.T.; Vader, A.M.; Harris, T.R.; Field, C.A. and Jouriles, E.N. Dismantling motivational interviewing and feedback for college drinkers: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 77(1):64–73, 2009.
White, H.R.; Mun, E.Y.; Pugh, L.; and Morgan, T.J. Long-term effects of brief substance use interventions for mandated college students: Sleeper effects of an in-person personal feedback intervention. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 31(8):1380–91, 2007.
Wood, M.D.; Capone, C.; Laforge, R.; Erickson, D.J.; and Brand, N.H. Brief motivational intervention and alcohol expectancy challenge with heavy drinking college students: A randomized factorial study. Addictive Behaviors 32(11):2509–28, 2007.
Wood, M.D.; Fairlie, A.M.; Fernandez, A.C.; Borsari, B.; Capone, C.; Laforge, R.; et al. Brief motivational and parent interventions for college students: A randomized factorial study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 78(3):349–61, 2010.

Additional studies not identified in prior reviews

Alfonso, J.; Hall, T.V.; and Dunn, M.E. Feedback?based alcohol interventions for mandated students: An effectiveness study of three modalities . Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 20(5):411–23, 2013.
Borsari, B.; Hustad, J.T.; Mastroleo, N.R.; Tevyaw, T.O.; Barnett, N.P.; Kahler, C.W.; et al. Addressing alcohol use and problems in mandated college students: A randomized clinical trial using stepped care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 80(6):1062–74, 2012.
Carey, K.B.; DeMartini, K.S.; Prince, M.A.; Luteran, C.; and Carey, M.P. Effects of choice on intervention outcomes for college students sanctioned for campus alcohol policy violations. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 27(3):596–603, 2013.
Ceperich, S.D.; and Ingersoll, K.S. Motivational interviewing + feedback intervention to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk among college binge drinkers: determinants and patterns of response. Journal of Behavioral Medicine 34(5):381–95, 2011.
Cleveland, M.J.; Lanza, S.T.; Ray, A.E.; Turrisi, R.; and Mallett, K.A. Transitions in first-year college student drinking behaviors: Does pre-college drinking moderate the effects of parent- and peer-based intervention components? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 26(3), 440–50, 2012.
DiFulvio, G.T.; Linowski, S.A.; Mazziotti, J.S.; and Puleo, E. Effectiveness of the brief alcohol and screening intervention for college students (BASICS) program with a mandated population. Journal of American College Health 60(4):269–80, 2012.
Doumas, D.M.; Workman, C.; Navarro, A.; and Smith, D. Evaluation of web-based and counselor-delivered feedback interventions for mandated college students. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling 32:16–28, 2011. (BMI using e-CHUG for feedback)
Doumas, D.M.; Workman, C.; Smith, D.; and Navarro, A. Reducing high-risk drinking in mandated college students: Evaluation of two personalized normative feedback interventions. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 40(4):376–85, 2011. (BMI using e-CHUG for feedback; same sample as Doumas, et al., 2011)
Fleming, M.F.; Balousek, S.L.; Grossberg, P.M.; Mundt, M.P.; Brown, D.; Wiegel, J.R.; et al. Brief physician advice for heavy drinking college students: A randomized controlled trial in college health clinics. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 71(1):23–31, 2010.
Ingersoll, K.S.; Ceperich, S.D.; Nettleman, M.D.; Karanda, K.; Brocksen, S.; and Johnson, B.A. Reducing alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk in college women: Initial outcomes of a clinical trial of a motivational intervention. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 29(3): 173–80, 2005.
Kulesza, M.; Apperson, M.; Larimer, M.E.; and Copeland, A.L. Brief alcohol intervention for college drinkers: How brief is? Addictive Behaviors 35(7):730–3, 2010.
Murphy, J.G.; Dennhardt, A.A.; Skidmore, J.R.; Martens, M.P.; and McDevitt-Murphy, M.E. Computerized versus motivational interviewing alcohol interventions: Impact on discrepancy, motivation, and drinking. Psychology of Addictive Behavior 24(4):628–39, 2010.
Murphy, J.G.; Dennhardt, A.A.; Skidmore, J.R.; Borsari, B.; Barnett, N.P.; Colby, S.M.; et al. A randomized controlled trial of a behavioral economic supplement to brief motivational interventions for college drinking. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 80(5):876–86, 2012.
Terlecki, M.A.; Larimer, M.E.; and Copeland, A.L. Clinical outcomes of a brief motivational intervention for heavy drinking mandated college students: A pilot study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 71(1):54–60, 2010.
Terlecki, M.A.; Buckner, J.S.; Larimer, M.E.; and Copeland, A.L. The role of social anxiety in a brief alcohol intervention for heavy-drinking college students. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly 25(1):7–21, 2011.

References from 2019 update

Borsari, B.; Apodaca, T.R.; Jackson, K.M.; et al. In-session processes of brief motivational interventions in two trials with mandated college students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology83(1):56–67, 2015.
Borsari, B.; Magill, M.; Mastroleo, N.R.; et al. Mandated college students’ response to sequentially administered alcohol interventions in a randomized clinical trial using stepped care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology84(2):103–112, 2016.
Borsari, B.; Short, E.E.; Mastroleo, N.R.; et al. Phone-delivered brief motivational interventions for mandated college students delivered during the summer months. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment46(5):592–596, 2014.
Clarke, N.C.; Field, M.; and Rose, A.K. Evaluation of a brief personalised intervention for alcohol consumption in college students. PLoS ONE10(6):e0131229, 2015.
de Oliveira Christoff, A.; and Boerngen-Lacerda, R. Reducing substance involvement in college students: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial of a computer-based intervention. Addictive Behaviors45:164–171, 2015.
Dermen, K.H.; and Thomas, S.N. Randomized controlled trial of brief interventions to reduce college students' drinking and risky sex. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors25(4):583–594, 2011.
Feldstein, S.W.; and Forcehimes, A.A. Motivational interviewing with underage college drinkers: A preliminary look at the role of empathy and alliance. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse33(5):737–746, 2007.
Fridberg, D.J.; Cao, D.; and King, A.C. Integrating alcohol response feedback in a brief intervention for young adult heavy drinkers who smoke: A pilot study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence155:293–297, 2015.
Hansson, H.; Rundberg, J.; Zetterlind, U.; et al. An intervention program for university students who have parents with alcohol problems: A randomized controlled trial. Alcohol and Alcoholism 41(6):655–663, 2006.
Hustad, J.P.; Mastroleo, N.R.; Kong, L.; et al. The comparative effectiveness of individual and group brief motivational interventions for mandated college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors28(1):74–84, 2014.
Kulesza, M.; McVay, M.A.; Larimer, M.E.; and Copeland, A.L. A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of two active conditions of a brief intervention for heavy college drinkers. Addictive Behaviors38(4):2094–2101, 2013.
Lee, C.M.; Neighbors, C.; Lewis, M.A.; et al. Randomized controlled trial of a spring break intervention to reduce high-risk drinking. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology82(2):189–201, 2014.
Logan, D.E.; Kilmer, J.R.; King, K.M.; and Larimer, M.E. Alcohol interventions for mandated students: Behavioral outcomes from a randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 76(1):31–37, 2015.
Martens, M.P.; Smith, A.E.; and Murphy, J.G. The efficacy of single-component brief motivational interventions among at-risk college drinkers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology81(4):691–701, 2013.
Mastroleo, N.R.; Turrisi, R.; Carney, J.V.; et al. Examination of posttraining supervision of peer counselors in a motivational enhancement intervention to reduce drinking in a sample of heavy-drinking college students. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 39(3):289–297, 2010.
Mastroleo, N.R.; Magill, M.; Barnett, N.P.; and Borsari, B. A pilot study of two supervision approaches for peer-led alcohol interventions with mandated college students. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 75(3):458–466, 2014.
Mastroleo, N.R.; Oakley, W.C.; Eaton, E.M.; and Borsari, B. Response of heavy-drinking voluntary and mandated college students to a peer-led brief motivational intervention addressing alcohol use. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment47(5):321–328, 2014.
Merrill, J.E.; Reid, A.E.; Carey, M.P.; and Carey, K.B. Gender and depression moderate response to brief motivational intervention for alcohol misuse among college students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology82(6):984–992, 2014.
Monahan, C.J.; McDevitt-Murphy, M.E.; Dennhardt, A.A.; et al. The impact of elevated posttraumatic stress on the efficacy of brief alcohol interventions for heavy drinking college students. Addictive Behaviors38(3):1719–1725, 2013.
Neighbors, C.; Lee, C.M.; Atkins, D.C.; et al. A randomized controlled trial of event-specific prevention strategies for reducing problematic drinking associated with 21st birthday celebrations. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology80(5):850–862, 2012.
Teeters, J.B.; Borsari, B.; Martens, M.P.; and Murphy, J.G. Brief motivational interventions are associated with reductions in alcohol-impaired driving among college drinkers. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs76(5):700–709, 2015.
Terlecki, M.A.; Buckner, J.D.; Larimer, M.E.; and Copeland, A.L. Randomized controlled trial of brief alcohol screening and intervention for college students for heavy-drinking mandated and volunteer undergraduates: 12-month outcomes. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors29(1):2–16, 2015.
Tevyaw, T.O.; Borsari, B.; Colby, S.M.; and Monti, P.M. Peer enhancement of a brief motivational intervention with mandated college students. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors21(1):114–119, 2007.
Tollison, S.J.; Mastroleo, N.R.; Mallett, K.A.; et al. The relationship between baseline drinking status, peer motivational interviewing microskills, and drinking outcomes in a brief alcohol intervention for matriculating college students: A replication. Behavior Therapy44(1):137–151, 2013.
Vader, A.M.; Walters, S.T.; Prabhu, G.C.; et al. The language of motivational interviewing and feedback: Counselor language, client language, and client drinking outcomes. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors24(2):190–197, 2010.
Wagener, T.L.; Leffingwell, T.R.; Mignogna, J.; et al. Randomized trial comparing computer-delivered and face-to-face personalized feedback interventions for high-risk drinking among college students. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 43(2):260–267, 2012.
Wilke, D.J.; Mennicke, A.; Howell, R.L.; and Magnuson, A.B. A peer-facilitated intervention to reduce risky drinking among fraternity and sorority members. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions 14(1):42–63, 2014.
Yurasek, A.M.; Borsari, B.; Magill, M.; et al. Descriptive norms and expectancies as mediators of a brief motivational intervention for mandated college students receiving stepped care for alcohol use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors29(4):1003–1011, 2015.Yurasek, A.M.; Borsari, B.; Magill, M.; et al. Descriptive norms and expectancies as mediators of a brief motivational intervention for mandated college students receiving stepped care for alcohol use. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors29(4):1003–1011, 2015.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-Health Resources and Services Administration Center for Integrated Health Solutions, Brief Interventions (Online training and resources)

Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS): A Harm Reduction Approach(book, available for purchase for about $37. The developers of BASICS can provide on-site and off-site training; for more information, see http://depts.washington.edu/abrc/basics.htm).

For more information about intervention designs and implementation, check the articles in the References tab.

Individual-Level Strategies

Brief motivational intervention (BMI): In-person—Individual (e.g., BASICS)