BASICS is a skills-based curriculum for college-age undergraduates that aims to reduce harmful consumption and associated problems in students who drink alcohol. BASICS is designed to reach those who have either experienced problems because of heavy consumption or are at high risk of doing so. BASICS addresses the following Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) risk factors:

• Individual attitudes towards substance use
• Perceived risk of substance use

The BASICS curriculum is a model program of the US Department of Education and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention and provides cognitive behavioral strategies for lower-risk drinking. Class discussion centers on the students’ consumption patterns and negative behavioral consequences that have stemmed from use of alcohol. Personalized feedback and specific advice about ways to reduce future health risks associated with alcohol is provided to students in attendance and reviewed.