Brief Alcohol and Other Drug Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a service for students who want to explore their alcohol and other drug use. It is designed to assist students in examining their own behaviors in a judgment-free environment. 

• Reasons to participate
  
• What to expect
  
• Appointments
  
• What Cornell students say about BASICS
  
• The fine print
  
• Contact information

BASICS is appropriate for anyone who uses alcohol or other drugs, whether you are concerned about your drinking or drug use or just curious to learn about how your use compares to others. BASICS will provide you with a structured opportunity to assess your own risk, identify potential changes that could work for you, and help you to reduce your risk for developing future problems.

BASICS may be required when a student violates Cornell’s Code of Conduct.

BASICS involves two sessions with a Gannett health educator or counselor.

Session I: A 20-30 minute appointment where you will receive information about the program including information on how to access a web-based questionnaire. This may be a one-on-one session or with a group of students who have been referred to BASICS.  

Session II: Based on the data collected in the questionnaire, you will receive a feedback profile that provides personalized information about your use of alcohol and other drugs and how it compares to other Cornell students. You will review the feedback profile in a one-on-one session lasting approximately 60 minutes. We will work with you to schedule the session at a time that fits with your schedule.

BASICS appointments are scheduled by Gannett Health Promotion.
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

“I felt comfortable being here, and I learned about myself.”  

“The interaction was great and I talked about my habits without being labeled.” 

“It is a safe and private environment.”  

“BASICS is not telling you what to do.”  

“The feedback profile was very interesting."  

“I feel BASICS is a great way to go about handling drinking in college.”

The Cornell version of BASICS is based on research conducted at the University of Washington and Western Washington University. Its aim is to reduce high-risk use of alcohol and other drugs as well as the potentially harmful problems associated with such use. In the words of the authors who conceptualized BASICS, “it is nonconfrontational, nonjudgmental, nonauthoritarian, and nonlabeling."

Dimeff, L., Baer, J., Kivlahan, D., & Marlatt, G. (1999). Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students. The Guilford Press.

To learn more about BASICS, please email Deborah Lewis, Alcohol Projects Coordinator.