NCJ Number
211028
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 327-334
Date Published
2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a National Alcohol Screening Day to provide personalized, mailed feedback on alcohol abuse to college students.
Abstract
Heavy alcohol consumption among the Nation’s college students has become a major public health concern, with data indicating that young people between the ages of 18 and 24 years have the highest rates of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. The Brief Alcohol Screening and Interventions for College Students (BASICS) program has been shown to effectively reduce drinking among this population. The current study explored the feasibility of providing personalized mailed feedback to college student drinkers who attended a National Alcohol Screening Day (NACD). Participants were 153 college students who completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), 34 percent of whom scored above the recommended clinical cutoff on the AUDIT. A subset of the at-risk drinkers completed additional questionnaires and received personalized feedback via mail. The subset of at-risk drinkers reported binge drinking behavior and high blood alcohol concentrations. The preliminary findings indicate that NACD offers an effective platform for initiating the delivery of personalized, mailed feedback regarding alcohol consumption behaviors for college student populations. Continued research on the combined effects of NASD and personalized feedback is needed. Future research should include larger samples and incorporate a follow-up mechanism to explore the outcomes of the personalized feedback. Tables, references