IMAGE: Intent & Motivation Alcohol Group Exercise - A USDE Model Program for Alcohol Prevention

University of Houston's (UHW) comprehensive prevention program is theory-driven and research-based, implementing strategies from NIAAA Task Force recommendations. One component, Intent and Motivation: Alcohol Group Exercise (IMAGE) has been awarded Model Program status twice by the US Department of Education (2008 and again in 2010). The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and the National Prevention Network (NPN) commended UHW by bestowing its National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies upon IMAGE in 2009. In synthesizing relevant theory and research, UHW determined that an effective intervention should: Increase confidence in making changes (Stages of Change Theory); Provide behavior-specific skills-building (Behavior Theory); Provide personalized feedback (Motivational Interviewing); Correct normative perceptions of the reference group (Social Norms Theory); Examine outcome expectancies, Reduce environmental constraints, and Solicit statements of intent to change (Theory of Reasoned Action/Planned Behavior). Although the program focuses on and encourages use of self-protective behaviors, an extensive discussion, utilizing a model of motivational interviewing, is held during the session with regards to “high-risk drinking” and the negative consequences associated with each high-risk behavior. Included in this discussion are the consequences of underage drinking (which is defined as a high-risk behavior), as well as violations of campus policies and state/federal laws. Overall, students who participated in IMAGE were 1.67 times more likely to drink less than once a week, 1.53 times more likely to drink 0 drinks in a typical week, 1.86 times more likely to experience fewer negative consequences.