Telehealth BASICS for college students who drink heavily
Official title: Evaluating Telehealth Delivery of Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students
Run by University of Southern California · NCT06774300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether a telehealth version of BASICS can help college students who drink hazardously compare to in-person BASICS and usual treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 26 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Southern California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2029 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | June 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06774300 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are college students aged 18–26 who report hazardous drinking and have reliable internet and webcam access, at two large universities.
✕Probably not a fit
Some participants with limited engagement or very low internet connectivity may not benefit from the telehealth or intervention approaches.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will compare three approaches to reducing hazardous drinking among college students: in-person BASICS, a telehealth BASICS delivered via Zoom, and treatment as usual. The trial will recruit 600 students (mandated and volunteers) from two large universities and randomize them to one of the three conditions. Follow-up assessments are planned at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months to measure drinking outcomes and consequences. The goal is to see if telehealth can maintain the efficacy of the gold-standard BASICS while improving access and convenience for students.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, telehealth BASICS could expand access to proven alcohol harm-reduction strategies for college students who struggle with heavy drinking.
How similar studies have gone: Past adaptations of BASICS to telehealth have shown promise, but this study will provide direct comparative data against in-person BASICS and usual care.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * between 18 and 26 years of age * fluent in understanding English * a registered student at one of the two intervention sites * adequate internet capabilities to support video-conferencing * access to a webcam, which is a standard features of most laptops, mobile devices, and desktops * engage in binge drinking (i.e., 4 or more standard drinks in a sitting for women or 5 or more standard drinks in a sitting for men) at least once in the past month (for the volunteer sample only) * experienced at least one negative alcohol-related consequence in the previous month (mandated students would meet this due to receiving an alcohol sanction) * reports a score of 2 or higher on questions about a) interest in reducing their drinking, or b) interest in not increasing their drinking. Exclusion Criteria: * not meeting inclusion criteria or unwillingness to participate
Where it's running
-
University of Houston
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Eric R Pedersen, Ph.D. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Eric R Pedersen, Ph.D.
- Email: Eric.Pedersen@med.usc.edu
- Phone: 323-442-4046
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.