Early Intervention, Treatment, and Recovery Strategies
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Research on Early Interventions |
Environmental strategies are only part of what is needed to reduce a campus community’s alcohol-related problems. Researchers recommend a comprehensive approach, including interventions designed to intervene with students who have shown some risk related to alcohol use or who have significant problems that warrant a diagnosis of abuse or dependence. (DeJong & Langford, 2002) By one estimate, 31 percent of college students meet the criteria for alcohol abuse and 6 percent meet the criteria for dependence. (Knight et al, 2002) Campuses should adopt strategies to systematically identify and help individual students who are drinking heavily and have experienced alcohol-related harm. (Helmkamp et al, 2003)
However, nondependent, high-risk drinkers account for the majority of alcohol-related problems. (Knight et al, 2002) Therefore, campus efforts must target not only students with identified problems but also those who drink heavily or misuse occasionally.
Last Update: August 31, 2004
