College Student Alcohol Consumption: Course and Interventions Amber M. Henslee, M.S. Auburn University Health Behavior Assessment Center (HBAC) HBAC is part of the Auburn University Psychological Services Center

Review Class Survey Results

Alcohol Consumption Among Auburn University Students

Lifetime Prevalence Rates for Common Drugs of Abuse SpringSummerSpringSpringSummerNSDUH Drug Caffeine96%100%96%98%100%----- Nicotine83% 84%68%71% 90%70% Alcohol98%98%100%94% 97%87% Marijuana71%75%68%61% 70%54% Cocaine23%28%36%16% 33%15% Methamphetamine14% 0% 20% 5% Heroin 0% 2% 0% 2% 0% 2% LSD27%29%14%12% 27%14% Ecstacy33%37%39%14% 33%15% NHSDA: National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health, ages 18-25

Course of College Student Alcohol Use/Abuse Alcohol use increases from high school to college Alcohol use increases from high school to college Most students “peak” at age _________ and reduce drinking thereafter Most students “peak” at age _________ and reduce drinking thereafter 60% of college juniors reported frequent intoxication; only 31% at 3-years post graduation (Gothom et al.,1997) 60% of college juniors reported frequent intoxication; only 31% at 3-years post graduation (Gothom et al.,1997)

Risk for Developmentally Persistent Alcohol Abuse Continued heavy use despite substantial life impairment and adverse consequences Continued heavy use despite substantial life impairment and adverse consequences e.g., academic problems, health, social, relationship, or family difficulties related to alcohol use. e.g., academic problems, health, social, relationship, or family difficulties related to alcohol use. Failure to achieve young adult developmental milestones, e.g., college degree, career job, long-term relationship. Failure to achieve young adult developmental milestones, e.g., college degree, career job, long-term relationship. High tolerance High tolerance _______ family history _______ family history Co-morbid psychological disorder Co-morbid psychological disorder Male gender Male gender

Intervention Approaches Traditional Disease or A.A. Model: Traditional Disease or A.A. Model: Alcoholism is a physical/moral “disease” and the only “cure” is abstinence Alcoholism is a physical/moral “disease” and the only “cure” is abstinence “Alcoholics” must accept this label and admit that they are powerless over alcohol “Alcoholics” must accept this label and admit that they are powerless over alcohol Treatment is ________ and focused on breaking through denial and achieving abstinence Treatment is ________ and focused on breaking through denial and achieving abstinence Students are told that problem drinking is progressive and will inevitably get worse Students are told that problem drinking is progressive and will inevitably get worse Treatment often entails a long stay in an inpatient or outpatient facility Treatment often entails a long stay in an inpatient or outpatient facility

Intervention Approaches Biopsychosocial and Harm-Reduction Model Biopsychosocial and Harm-Reduction Model Alcohol use is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors (mostly social in college). Alcohol use is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors (mostly social in college). There exists a ________ of drinking problems (most students with problems have mild-moderate problems). There exists a ________ of drinking problems (most students with problems have mild-moderate problems). Labels are not important; individuals do have power to change Labels are not important; individuals do have power to change Change is most likely to result from supportive rather than confrontational approach Change is most likely to result from supportive rather than confrontational approach Moderation or Harm Reduction goals are appropriate Moderation or Harm Reduction goals are appropriate

BASICS: Brief Brief Alcohol Alcohol Screening and Screening and Intervention for Intervention for College College Students Students

What does BASICS really mean? It’s specially designed for _____________ It’s specially designed for _____________ We understand how hard it is to fit in We understand how hard it is to fit in We understand how hard it is to keep good grades We understand how hard it is to keep good grades We understand the pressures of Greek life, Athletics & Other Activities We understand the pressures of Greek life, Athletics & Other Activities BASICS is tailored for you! BASICS is tailored for you! It is not a “Just Say No” approach! It is not a “Just Say No” approach!

What does BASICS focus on? Increasing __________ to make positive changes about drinking behavior Increasing __________ to make positive changes about drinking behavior Providing education about alcohol Providing education about alcohol Not judging Not judging Being supportive Being supportive

Who benefits from BASICS? Anyone who… Anyone who… Keeps drinking despite negative consequences Keeps drinking despite negative consequences Has tolerance or withdrawal symptoms Has tolerance or withdrawal symptoms Has had trouble cutting down on their drinking Has had trouble cutting down on their drinking Has passed out or blacked out from alcohol Has passed out or blacked out from alcohol Drinks more than 4-5 drinks in a setting Drinks more than 4-5 drinks in a setting Anyone with questions about their drinking behaviors Anyone with questions about their drinking behaviors

Where do BASICS clients come from? People get referred for legal or academic problems People get referred for legal or academic problems The health center and counseling center make referrals The health center and counseling center make referrals Far fewer people come on their own Far fewer people come on their own We would love more! We would love more! Positive peer pressure & talking to friends can be the most effective HBAC referral! Positive peer pressure & talking to friends can be the most effective HBAC referral!

What will YOU do? Participate in a motivational interview session Participate in a motivational interview session Get ___________ about your drinking from an individual session with a counselor Get ___________ about your drinking from an individual session with a counselor Total time investment is about 3 hours! Total time investment is about 3 hours!

What will YOU get? A completely FREE & CONFIDENTIAL service A completely FREE & CONFIDENTIAL service Information on your drinking and how it relates to: Information on your drinking and how it relates to: Other Auburn students Other Auburn students ___________ ___________ Calories consumed and weight gain Calories consumed and weight gain Money spent Money spent Time spent Time spent

Blood Alcohol Content (135 lb. female)

Calories Consumed from Alcohol # of Drinks # of Calories McDonalds Food Equivalent Running time to burn calories Walking time to burn calories 3300Cheeseburger 25 minutes 62.5 min Big Mac 49.8 min. 2 hours cheeseburgers 74.7 min. 3.5 hours 121, McNuggets + 2 small fries 107 min. 4 hours

Positive Aspects of Drinking: Relaxed Relaxed Outgoing Outgoing Fun Fun Feelings of euphoria / happiness Feelings of euphoria / happiness

Negative Aspects of Drinking Getting sick Getting sick

Negative Aspects of Drinking Embarrassing yourself Embarrassing yourself

Negative Aspects of Drinking Gaining weight Gaining weight

Negative Aspects of Drinking Poor Judgment Poor Judgment Doing something risky or regrettable Doing something risky or regrettable

Tips for Maximizing the Positive Aspects of Drinking Be sure you know what you are drinking! Be sure you know what you are drinking! A __________ is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1 oz. of hard liquor A __________ is 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1 oz. of hard liquor A mixed drink can contain up to 4 oz. of liquor A mixed drink can contain up to 4 oz. of liquor

Tips for Maximizing the Positive Aspects of Drinking Drink slowly Drink slowly Drink light beer Drink light beer Plan your night in advance Plan your night in advance Be safe about where you drink and who you drink with Be safe about where you drink and who you drink with Don’t drink and drive Don’t drink and drive

Tips for Maximizing the Positive Aspects of Drinking Think about how drinking impacts other life areas: Think about how drinking impacts other life areas: Academics Academics Health Health Relationships Relationships How does drinking relate to your ________? How does drinking relate to your ________? How else could you spend the time you currently spend drinking and recovering? How else could you spend the time you currently spend drinking and recovering?

Health Behavior Assessment Center (HBAC) Provides AU students with FREE and CONFIDENTIAL alcohol use evaluation along with detailed personal drinking feedback and advice. Provides AU students with FREE and CONFIDENTIAL alcohol use evaluation along with detailed personal drinking feedback and advice. To set up appointment call To set up appointment call * HBAC is part of the Auburn University Psychological Services Center and is supported by grant from the US Department of Education