The Long-term Effect of a Brief Motivational Alcohol Intervention for Heavy Drinking Mandated College Students

The study evaluated the long-term impact of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) among college undergraduates mandated to treatment relative to heavy drinking volunteer students. Participants (N = 225; 61% male) were randomized to a BMI (n = 115) or a control group (n = 110). Alcohol consumption (drinks per week, drinking frequency, typical drinks, peak drinks), alcohol-related problems, and readiness to change (RTC) were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months posttreatment. BMI participants significantly decreased drinks per week (treatment, M change = 7.33; control, M change = 3.60), typical drinks (treatment, M change = 1.46; control, M change = 0.65), and peak drinks (treatment, M change = 2.16; control, M change = 0.56) relative to controls at 4-weeks posttreatment. Decreases in alcohol-related problems approached significance among BMI participants (treatment, M change = 7.11; control, M change = 5.59; p \u3c .10). At 12-months posttreatment, gains for typical drinks and peak drinks were sustained (p\u27s \u3c .05). Decreases in alcohol-related problems among the treatment group became significant over time (p \u3c .05). Treatment gains for weekly drinking were marginally significant over time (p \u3c .10). As expected, no main effect for referral group, or treatment x referral group interaction affected BMI outcomes. Contrary to expectation, receiving a BMI did not increase RTC, nor did RTC moderate BMI outcomes. BMIs appear to be equally effective among mandated and volunteer groups over time