BASICS/CASICS
What is BASICS and CASICS?
BASICS stands for Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students. CASICS stands for Cannabis Screening and Intervention for College Students. These programs are offered for all Ohio State students who may want to explore their alcohol and drug use, but the goal of the program is to reduce risky behaviors and harmful consequences of alcohol or cannabis abuse.
BASICS and CASICS are not "Just Say No" or abstinence-only programs. The program is designed to assist students in examining their own behavior in a judgment-free environment. The BASICS/CASICS facilitator* will provide objective feedback, based on an interview and questionnaires filled out by the student, in order to encourage positive changes in behavior. Essentially, BASICS/CASICS will provide the information and guidance, but what a student chooses to do with it is entirely up to them.
Some students attend BASICS/CASICS to fulfill a court order as a result of an alcohol or cannabis related offense, while others come because they have concerns about their alcohol or cannabis use. BASICS/CASICS is appropriate for anyone who uses alcohol or cannabis in a high-risk manner, especially if you are concerned about your alcohol or cannabis use and how it compares to other students.
The BASICS/CASICS sessions are private, and we will not disclose any information from the sessions to anyone without the student's permission.
If a student chooses to participate in BASICS/CASICS to complete a university or court ordered requirement, we can provide documentation of program completion if a student signs a release of information form. We will not release any assessment results or personal information shared during the BASICS/CASICS appointment.
All BASICS/CASICS sessions are one-on-one with a facilitator* and the student. It takes two sessions, typically one week apart, to complete the BASICS/CASICS program.
- Session I takes approximately 60 minutes. During this session, students meet their facilitator, are oriented to the program, answer interview questions and complete an online questionnaire.
- Session II also takes approximately 60 minutes. Students receive a personalized feedback profile that is based on the information obtained from interviews and questionnaires completed during the first session. Students review the feedback profile with the facilitator and, if appropriate, identify potential changes that could work to help reduce their risk for developing future alcohol-or cannabis-related problems.
For students participating in BASICS/CASICS as the result of a sanction, there is a $100.00 fee to complete the program. Students that are self-referring, or want to simply learn more about alcohol and other drugs, can participate free of charge. We accept both credit/debit payments and BuckID payments.
Before scheduling a session please ensure that you are available on the same day and time on two consecutive weeks. You only need to schedule your first session. Your second session will be scheduled automatically for the following week on the same day and time.
Schedule a BASICS appointment here
Schedule a CASICS appointment here
- “Overall, it was just a great experience where the people genuinely wanted to help me learn about what I was actually doing to my body and what happens when I drink. They also didn’t scold me or try to tell me what to do but rather inform me well enough to understand the consequences myself.”
- “This class was very informational on how to be safe with alcohol use as a college student. I was able to reflect on my behavior and see how it could possibly be harmful as well as understand different ways to improve it for my own safety. I set goals and feel confident in following them so I can be safe and enjoy my time as a college student.”
- “Very informative, put things in perspective because it was tailored to me and my habits.”
- “The coaches were very welcoming and non-judgmental.”
- “It is a great program that educates instead of lectures.”
Accommodation Requests
The Student Wellness Center is committed to providing services, programs and events that are accessible to all graduate, professional and undergraduate students. Please communicate accessibility requests at wellness@osu.edu and note your accessibility needs. To ensure an accommodation, please send the notification at least one week in advance of your request, however we will make every effort to accommodate any requests. When scheduling an appointment you will also have the option to note your accessibility needs to help us provide you with the most accommodating services possible.
Questions?
*BASICS/CASICS facilitators are not licensed counselors. They have been trained to provide alcohol and/or cannabis assessment and feedback. Assessment is done for educational purposes only. If a student requires a definite diagnosis or treatment for clinical issues, we refer them to Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service at 614-292-5766.