Talking with College Students about Alcohol: Motivational Strategies for Reducing Abuse [Paperback]

Scott T. Walters (Author), John S. Baer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1593852223 | ISBN-13: 978-1593852221 | Publication Date: October 13, 2005 | Edition: 1

Grounded in current best practices, this book offers flexible, readily applicable guidelines for assessing and working with college drinkers. Provided is a wealth of practical advice on interacting with students in a range of contexts, from brief conversations in medical settings to motivational counseling sessions and group interventions. Also described are effective ways to weave alcohol prevention and intervention services into the fabric of campus life. Over a dozen appendices feature reproducible assessment instruments and other indispensable tools, in a large-size format for ease of photocopying and use. For optimal utility, supplemental materials for use in workshops, seminars, and other educational and training events are available online as PowerPoint slides (www.guilford.com/walters2).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Provides a comprehensive review of college student drinking, as well as straightforward tools and techniques to use with students who might be at risk. The book demystifies the idea that intervening in high-risk alcohol consumption is something that has to be done by experts. It is written in such a way that staff and faculty, even those not specially trained to work with alcohol problems, could pick it up and quickly learn how to have a brief conversation that has a lasting impact. The book shows step by step how to work with individual students and with groups, and how to develop a plan for integrating effective alcohol interventions into the larger campus community. It also provides a number of practical clinical and assessment tools. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to others who work in college health contexts."--Betsy D. Foy, MHS, CHES, Assistant Director, Student Health and Counseling, Washington University in St. Louis; Co-Chair, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Committee, American College Health Association

"Walters and Baer have rendered a daunting topic manageable. This book is essential reading for counselors, student affairs professionals, campus housing personnel, and health care providers. The authors’ approach is perfectly pitched to the developmental levels and alcohol use patterns of college student populations. Empirically based and practical, this guide presents an approach that is effective."--Jennifer Rikard, PhD, Coordinator, ASPIRE Program (Alcohol and Other Substances Prevention/Intervention Re-directive Effort), Counseling and Psychological Services, San Diego State University

"Walters and Baer have done campus alcohol preventionists a real service by producing this immensely useful guide to bridging research and practice on motivational interventions with college students. In particular, their assessment recommendations for different lengths of encounters are a huge contribution to the field. I plan to make this book the foundation for our work with campus administrators and counselors on individual-focused interventions. It answers just about every question campuses may have about delivering these services."--Laurie Davidson, MA, Center for College Health and Safety, Education Development Center, Inc., Newton, Massachusetts

"Walters and Baer have provided a superb resource for anyone who is concerned about college drinking. There is really no other book like it. They offer a clear and evidence-based set of practical tools for everything from a 5-minute chat to programmatic group or individual treatment. Through it all runs a compassionate, person-centered way of talking with students that fosters change rather than defensiveness."--William R. Miller, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico

 

 

About the Author

Scott T. Walters, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health.

John S. Baer, PhD, is Research Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Washington in Seattle, and Associate Director for Training and Education, Center of Excellence for Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (October 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593852223
• ISBN-13: 978-1593852221
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #979,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource on college drinking., January 9, 2007

By 

Kay Colbert (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking with College Students about Alcohol: Motivational Strategies for Reducing Abuse (Paperback)

This book summarizes current research findings on how and why college students drink. It also reviews intervention and prevention programs and makes sensible suggestions for improving current intervention programs using reasearch-based knowledge. This is an excellent resource for educators, college personnel or anyone interested in substance abuse.

3.0 out of 5 stars A scripted how-to book on alcoholism on campus, August 27, 2009

By 

Paul Eckler (princeton jct, nj United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talking with College Students about Alcohol: Motivational Strategies for Reducing Abuse (Paperback)

"Talking with College Students about Alcohol," by Scott T. Walters and John S. Baer, Guilford Press, NY, 2006. Walters and Baer provide a text book for those who would council young students about drinking. The book includes a series of scripts to help the subject realize the problems caused by drinking and need to change. The councilor is taught to examine the reasons for drinking, and the prospects for improving the behavior. Once the subject decides to change, scripts are offered for arriving at an action plan and then for a series of follow-up meetings.

The appendix collects standardized profiling tests to assess the severity of the problem by various systems of measurement. The text contains extensive references to studies of alcoholism and treatment methods as well as descriptions of common effects of alcohol intoxication. The book also reviews common myths related to drinking. All of this is presented in the context of the life of a college student emphasizing the social aspects.

This book is a handy reference to those who will be working with college students. References, index.