CHOICES: A modality of Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP)
ORGANIZATION OF ASTP COMPONENTS IN THE CHOICES STUDENT JOURNAL
George A. Parks, Ph.D.
COMPONENT 1: ORIENTATION & BUILDING RAPPORT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Assessing the group
Introductions
Description of ASTP philosophy
Abstinence
Description of the ASTP program
Discussion on confidentiality
Part of Interactive Journal Design
CHOICES Journal Cover and Page 2
Motivational Interviewing Delivery
COMPONENT 2: ASSESSMENT OF USE
(CHOICES Journal Pages 4, 5)
1. Explanation of a “standard” drink
(CHOICES Journal Page 4)
2. Discussion of college student drinking norms
(CHOICES Journal Page 5)
COMPONENT 6: MONITORING DRINKING BEHAVIOR
(CHOICES Session 2)
1. Rationale for monitoring drinking behavior
2. Advantages of monitoring drinking behavior
3. Disadvantages of monitoring drinking behavior
4. How to self-monitor
5. Clarification of goals of assignment
COMPONENT 7: FEEDBACK – DRINKING
(CHOICES Session 2, CHOICES Check-UP)
1. Discussion of self-monitoring exercise
2. Introduction of BAC chart
3. Distribution and discussion of
personalized BAC charts
COMPONENT 8: FEEDBACK – EXPECTANCIES
(Facilitator Guide)
1. Expectations from alcohol?
COMPONENT 3: ALCOHOL 101: ALCOHOL & BODY
2. Discussion of alcohol’s effects
(CHOICES Journal Pages 5,6,7,9)
on men vs. women
3. Influences of set and setting
1. What is alcohol? (Page 6)
4. The balanced placebo design
2. How does alcohol get into your system? (Page 6)
5. Conclusion
3. What influences the rate of absorption? (Page 7)
4. How does alcohol leave the system? (Page 6,9)
5. The rate of metabolism (Page 9)
COMPONENT 9: RISK REDUCTION TIPS
(CHOICES Journal Pages 11-15)
COMPONENT 4: BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
1. Moderate drinking guidelines
(CHOICES Journal Pages 4,6,7,8,9)
2. Moderate drinking strategies
1. Definition of blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
3. Tips for reducing the risk of negative
2. Identification of factors that influence BAC
consequences associated with heavy alcohol use
3. Explanation of alcohol effects at
4. Tips for reducing risks associated
various levels of BAC
with alcohol and sex
4. Gender differences in BAC
5. Tips for reducing risks associated with
alcohol and driving
COMPONENT 5: BIPHASIC EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
AND TOLERANCE
COMPONENT 10: GOALS AND WRAPPING UP
(CHOICES Journal Pages 8,9,10)
(CHOICES Journal Page 16)
1. Changing effects of alcohol over time
1. Summary
2. The biphasic curve
2. Questions and answers
3. Two types of tolerance
3. Discussion of future thoughts
4. Advantages and disadvantages of tolerance
4. Solicit feedback about the program
5. What you can do to reduce tolerance
(Choices Post-Test and Program Evaluation)
6. Drug interaction effects (Facilitator Guide)
5. Referral options
7. Alcohol Myopia (Facilitator Guide)
6. Questions and answers
The Change Companies, Marlatt, and Parks © 2005