HBAC

Auburn University Psychological Services Center
1122 Haley Center

Are you concerned about your drinking or drug use?

Would you like to receive a CONFIDENTIAL drinking evaluation and personal feedback about your drinking?

The Health Behavior Assessment Center (HBAC) uses the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) curriculum, which includes an alcohol use evaluation along with detailed personal drinking feedback and advice.

The primary goal of BASICS is to provide objective lifestyle feedback and to encourage positive changes in drinking behavior.
BASICS is NOT a "JUST SAY NO" approach that requires abstaining from alcohol.
We will NOT disclose any information to AU, your parents, anyone. BASICS involves only 2 individual meetings with a counselor.
We provide the two sessions free of charge to all AU students who refer themselves or are referred by a medical or mental health professional.
Students who are referred as a result of a legal or disciplinary action will be charged $40. Payment by check or cash for services is required at the time of the initial appointment. Our clinic does not bill insurance companies.

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Contrasts Between Traditional and HBAC Approaches to Working with Problem Drinkers

Traditional Approach	HBAC Approach
Heavy emphasis on acceptance of self as having a problem; acceptance of diagnosis seen as essential for change Emphasis on personality pathology, which reduces personal choice, judgment, and control Therapist presents perceived evidence of problems in an attempt to convince the client to accept the diagnosis Resistance is seen as "denial," a trait characteristic requiring confrontation Resistance is met with argumentation and correction Goals of treatment and strategies for change are prescribed for the client by the therapist; client is seen as "in denial" and incapable of making sound decisions	De-emphasis on labels; acceptance of "alcoholism" or other labels seen as unnecessary for change to occur Emphasis on personal choice and responsibility for deciding future behavior Therapist conducts objective evaluation, but focuses on eliciting the client’s own concerns Resistance is seen as an interpersonal behavior pattern influenced by the therapist’s behavior Resistance is met with reflection Treatment goals and change strategies are negotiated between client and therapist, based on data and acceptability; client’s involvement in and acceptance of goals are seen as vital

Traditional Approach

HBAC Approach

Heavy emphasis on acceptance of self as having a problem; acceptance of diagnosis seen as essential for change
Emphasis on personality pathology, which reduces personal choice, judgment, and control
Therapist presents perceived evidence of problems in an attempt to convince the client to accept the diagnosis
Resistance is seen as "denial," a trait characteristic requiring confrontation
Resistance is met with argumentation and correction
Goals of treatment and strategies for change are prescribed for the client by the therapist; client is seen as "in denial" and incapable of making sound decisions

De-emphasis on labels; acceptance of "alcoholism" or other labels seen as unnecessary for change to occur
Emphasis on personal choice and responsibility for deciding future behavior
Therapist conducts objective evaluation, but focuses on eliciting the client’s own concerns
Resistance is seen as an interpersonal behavior pattern influenced by the therapist’s behavior Resistance is met with reflection
Treatment goals and change strategies are negotiated between client and therapist, based on data and acceptability; client’s involvement in and acceptance of goals are seen as vital

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Common Alcohol-Related Problems Experienced by College Students*

Here are some problems that some college students experience when drinking alcohol. If you find that you experience thesee problems, an HBAC assessment could be a helpful way of decreasing alcohol-related problem behaviors.

Because of your alcohol use, have you:

Been unable to do your homework or study for a test?
Got into fights, acted bad, or done mean things?
Missed out on other things because you spent too much money on alcohol?
Gone to school high or drunk?
Caused shame or embarrassment to someone?
Neglected your responsibilities?
Felt that you needed more alcohol than you used to to get the same effect?
Tried to control your drinking by trying to drink only at certain times of the day or at certain places?
Had withdrawal symptoms, that is felt sick because you stopped or cut down on drinking?
Noticed a change in your personality?
Felt that you have a problem with alcohol?
Missed a day (or part of a day) of school or work?
Tried to cut down or quit drinking?
Suddenly found yourself in a place that yu could not remember getting to?
Pased out or fainted suddenly?
Had a fight, argument, or bad feelings with a friend or family member?
Kept drinking when you promised yourself not to?
Felt you were going crazy?
Felt physically or psychologically dependent on alcohol?
Been told by a friend or neighbor to stop or cut down on drinking?
Drove shortly after consuming more than 2 drinks?

*This list was adapted from the RAPI form

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Additional Resources

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Questions about this page
Last updated on April 5, 2007

HBAC

Auburn University Psychological Services Center 1122 Haley Center

Contrasts Between Traditional and HBAC Approaches to Working with Problem Drinkers

Common Alcohol-Related Problems Experienced by College Students*

Because of your alcohol use, have you:

Additional Resources

Auburn University Psychological Services Center
1122 Haley Center