Effectiveness of a Web-based alcohol-misuse and harm-prevention course among high- and low-risk students

In the current study, the authors assessed whether a new online alcohol-misuse prevention course (College Alc) is more effective at reducing alcohol use and related consequences among drinkers and nondrinkers.

The authors compared incoming college freshmen who reported any past 30-day alcohol use before the beginning of the semester with those who did not.

The authors randomly assigned students who completed a precollege baseline survey to either complete a 3-hour noncredit version of College Alc or serve as members of a control group. The authors conducted a follow-up survey 3 months later.

Findings indicated that among freshmen who were regular drinkers before college, College Alc appeared to reduce the frequency of heavy drinking, drunkenness, and negative alcohol-related consequences. Among freshmen who did not report any past-30-day alcohol use before college, College Alc did not appear to have any beneficial effects.

Results suggest that College Alc may be an effective program for students with a history of alcohol use.