The goal of this curriculum is to help all health care professionals identify and treat students who are at-risk or are having alcohol-related problems.
The goal of this curriculum is to help all health care professionals -- physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, health educators, counselors, psychologists, and others who work with college students -- identify and treat students who are at-risk or are having alcohol-related problems. The clinical methods presented in this curriculum are based on science and clinical experience and have been tested and used in a variety of settings. The protocols were specifically designed for busy high-volume practice. The college drinking prevention curriculum for health care providers is part of a national effort sponsored by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to reduce high-risk drinking and alcohol-related problems among college students. The curriculum is divided into four teaching modules. Each module is based on current evidence and research and includes the essential information every clinician should know about the prevention and treatment of college drinking problems. Module 1 focuses on the epidemiology and prevention of alcohol use and alcohol problems among college students. Module 2 reviews the screening and assessment of students in college health settings. Module 3 presents a number of clinical protocols used for brief intervention or brief talk therapy as well as the evidence that supports the use of these counseling methods. Module 4 focuses on development of skills in motivational interviewing, an approach used in behavioral medicine that can enhance brief intervention. In addition to the text and references, the curriculum contains a set of PowerPoint slides for each module. The curriculum also contains a brief intervention workbook that clinicians may want to copy for use with students. This workbook is a step-by-step approach to conducting brief intervention therapy. Trainers and clinicians may want to use the included role-plays to practice screening, brief intervention, and motivational interviewing. The following are appended: (1) Brief Intervention Workbook; (2) Role-Play Scenarios; and (3) Attitude Exercise. (Contains 8 figures.)