BASICS – Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students
BASICS is offered to all USC students who want to explore their alcohol use in a confidential and judgment-free environment.
Reasons to Participate
BASICS is appropriate for anyone that drinks alcohol. BASICS is not an abstinence-only program. It provides a structured opportunity for students to compare personal alcohol use with alcohol use norms, and reflect on individual negative consequences. Goals are created and determined by the student and are aimed at reducing risky behaviors and harmful consequences.
What Students Can Expect
BASICS is two sessions, each of which is 60 minutes. All sessions are one-on-one between a student and an OWHP Health Educator. BASICS sessions are confidential and free of charge.
In Session I, the student meets with a Health Educator and completes an assessment questionnaire. During Session II, the student receives a feedback profile about their personal use and how it compares to other students at USC. The Health Educator works with the student to assess their own risk, identify potential changes, and help to reduce the risk for developing future problems.
The Fine Print
BASICS is based on research conducted at the University of Washington and Western Washington University. The National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Task Force members found strong research evidence to support BASICS for individual problem, at-risk, or alcohol-dependent drinkers, ranking the program in Tier 1 for effectiveness among college students. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized BASICS as an evidence-based indicated prevention strategy.
Since BASICS was first implemented in 1992, the program has been used in approximately 1,100 sites and has reached approximately 20,000 individuals.