Reducing Barriers and Enhancing Linkages to Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step Groups for Alcohol Dependent Students on College Campuses: A Program Evaluation

Abstract

Aim: This project was completed due to a lack of research and low likelihood of attendance to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step groups by college students suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This program evaluation was completed to provide university students and campus wellness staff the opportunity to evaluate a newly created Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) video about AA and an AA attendance plan for consideration of future use in psychiatric practice. Background: Current evidence reveals a need for college aged interventions for AUD. College students may be referred to AA by campus staff but have difficulties bridging the gap between recommendation and attendance (American Addictions Centers, 2017). Students seeking mental healthcare prefer brief computerized interventions which have shown to promote treatment initiation in young adults (Buscemi, Murphy, Martens, McDevitt-Murphy, Dennhardty, & Skidmore, 2010; Pedersen & Paves, 2014). Methods: This program was delivered via e-mail distribution to college students and counseling center staff and in person sessions with nursing student advisory council groups. All data collected were obtained on a volunteer basis by electronic anonymous questionnaire. Results: Outcomes were measured in three groups (nursing student advisory council, campus wellness staff, and general university students) by qualitative and quantitative data from post-implementation survey responses. In all three groups, 70% or more of the participants found the program improved their knowledge, was interesting, and useful. Recommendations from participants for program improvement included informative aspects and visual enhancements of the FAQs video. Conclusion: These findings support the potential benefits of revising the “Guide me to AA—FAQs video and making it available for use by psychiatric professionals to educate and support students in need of support for AUD and whom could benefit from AA attendance.Doctor of Nursing Practic