Early Intervention

“Early intervention” is a term generally used to describe those early efforts to intervene where an individual is seen as being at risk. An early intervention is often brief, designed to assess and provide some initial feedback to the student about his or her alcohol or other drug (AOD) use and its consequences. In the course of a first intervention, it may become clear that a more in-depth intervention is required. Early, brief interventions also may pave the way for a student whose alcohol use goes beyond occasional heavy use to accept additional counseling or other services.

Many students change their high-risk drinking behavior and suffer fewer negative consequences with only a brief intervention. However, it is not meant as a substitute for students with serious alcohol abuse or dependence for whom a more intensive intervention may be required.