Brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in college students: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To review the effectiveness of brief interventions specifically implemented in university students for reducing alcohol consumption.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook and the PRISMA statement, with PROSPERO 420261353502 record. We searched for original articles published between 2014 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO and APA PsycNet. Given the methodological heterogeneity and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis of the findings was made.

Results: A total of 14 studies were included. Most (n=12) demonstrated consistent effects in reducing the number of drinks and frequency of drinking days, as well as associated negative consequences. The number of sessions ranged from one to seven, and most interventions incorporated personalized feedback. However, some studies (n=2) found no differences between conditions, attributable to assessment reactivity, low statistical power, and lack of personalization.

Conclusions: Brief interventions are an effective strategy for reducing alcohol consumption levels among university students. The evidence supports the use of motivational approaches and flexible delivery modalities.

Key words: Young adults; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol use.