Two of the example programs, Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students BASICS; 14 and Alcohol Skills Training Program ASTP; 15, are commonly implemented on college campuses. The association between heavy drinking in college and alcohol use disorders later in life is well established e.g., 3,4, yet the primary goal for colleges is the immediate need to reduce alcohol-related harm. A review of interventions including educational, individual, and environmental approaches are described, as well as, new strategies of promise. Several approaches aimed at reducing the harm incurred by students and the college communities as a result of heavy drinking are being used with varying success.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES AND STAFF

We did briefly consider conducting a factor analysis to provide some empirical basis for our classification system, but were precluded from doing so by the limited number of colleges (22) in our sample. That assumption, however, could certainly be called into question by the number of academically rigorous colleges that have a reputation for tolerating or even covertly sanctioning heavy drinking. An additional source of response bias may be attributed to error due to prevention coordinators’ limited knowledge of the level of implementation of all prevention strategies included in the rating instrument.

Differences in substance use intervention measures for adolescents at different educational stages

The third tier, which also focuses on environmental changes (e.g., increased publicity about the enforcement of underage drinking laws, social norming campaigns), includes strategies that appear conceptually sound or are supported by pertinent theory, but have yet to be rigorously evaluated. Those occupying the highest tier are limited to behavioral change strategies that target individual students, including Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICs). Overall, doctors feel that this type of treatment is very effective and a safe option for addicts, since the medication itself is not harmful like the abused drugs are and will help them have a less difficult time during withdrawals.94

That is why it is imperative for schools to take action and provide prevention and intervention to all students. Teen substance abuse can even disrupt neurological Hispanic and Latino Student Mental Health Guide development and lead to severe mental health problems, including depression, developmental delays, anxiety, personality disorders, and suicidal thoughts. All three states’ methods incorporated strategies of prevention, collaboration, education, and training opportunities for students.

• It is important to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription stimulant abuse and promote healthy study habits and stress management techniques as alternatives to relying on these substances.
• Social media are effective tools to share graphic, multimedia prevention content that may enhance framing effects.
• Optimizing dosage is an important objective for health campaigns and for this research.
• These strategies also include raising academic standards and requiring Friday and Saturday classes that are sufficiently early in the day to deter heavy alcohol consumption the previous night.
• In this case, we reasoned that greater emphasis on academic performance could be considered as generating a culture that would be incompatible with alcohol consumption.

EasyLlama’s online training course provides a more in-depth understanding of substance use and misuse on campus. By raising awareness and understanding the signs and symptoms, participants can play a crucial role in early intervention and support. Then, report your observations to the designated authorities or campus resources, such as a student affairs office or counseling center. If you identify substance misuse on campus, it is important to take appropriate action. The author thanks her Health Psychology students for their excitement and engagement in these projects. Such projects provide valuable experiences not only for majors and minors, but for all students enrolled in the course.