Relaxation training (REL): One hour training in relaxation techniques REL was designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. REL began with an introduction to the intervention and general rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's typical experiences with daily stress, and reviewed various strategies the participant had used to cope with stress. Past experiences with meditation and relaxation were explored. To promote positive treatment expectancies, the counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction. Participants were told: (i) the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; and (ii) alternative approaches to coping with stress, such as meditation and relaxation techniques, can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. For the remainder of the session, 2 strategies for coping with stress were introduced and practiced: the first was a simple, guided breathing meditation; and the second was a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. Both exercises were scripted and read aloud by the counselor as the participant followed the counselor instructions. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a counselor recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Brief Motivational Intervention (BMI) Counseling: One hour session of BMI focused on reduction of heavy drinking. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the developmental context of the participant's drinking behavior, discussing current experiences, goals, and plans for the next several years in different domains (education/training, work, financial independence, social transitions, romantic relationships). The counselor explored how alcohol and drinking fit into the participant's life, and how the participant expected their drinking to change into adulthood. Assessing motivation involved exploring the positive and negative aspects of drinking for participants. Enhancing motivation consisted of providing a personalized feedback report including normative feedback, and personalized risk factors and other elements like time and money allocation. Participants were asked to envision themselves in the future if they decided to make a change, and again if they decided not to change. The counselor drew upon participants' goals (e.g., social, recreational, occupational, financial) to highlight discrepancies between drinking behavior and proximal life goals. The participant identified goals for change related to drinking. The BMI reviewed strategies for reducing heavy drinking. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Throughout the session, counselors used MI principles and techniques.

This was a 1-hr behavioral counseling session designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. It began with an introduction and rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's daily stress level and strategies used to cope. Experience with meditation and relaxation were explored. The counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction, namely: the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; meditation and relaxation can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. Didactic information about mental and physical stress and coping was provided. Two strategies were practiced: a simple, guided breathing meditation and a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Relaxation training: One hour training in relaxation techniques

This is a 1-hr motivational intervention session. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the participant's drinking, discussing current experiences, goals and plans in different domains (education, work, financial independence, social transitions, relationships). The counselor explored how drinking fit into the participant's life and explored risk and protective factors. The session involved: Assessing motivation; Enhancing motivation; Personalized feedback; Envisioning the future with/without change; Counselor summary; and Optional personalized change plan. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Counselors used MI principles and techniques, including using open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting change talk, and supporting self-efficacy statements.

Brief Motivational Counseling: One hour session of brief motivational counseling focused on reduction of heavy drinking.

This was a 1-hr behavioral counseling session designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. It began with an introduction and rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's daily stress level and strategies used to cope. Experience with meditation and relaxation were explored. The counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction, namely: the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; meditation and relaxation can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. Didactic information about mental and physical stress and coping was provided. Two strategies were practiced: a simple, guided breathing meditation and a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Relaxation training: One hour training in relaxation techniques

This is a 1-hr motivational intervention session. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the participant's drinking, discussing current experiences, goals and plans in different domains (education, work, financial independence, social transitions, relationships). The counselor explored how drinking fit into the participant's life and explored risk and protective factors. The session involved: Assessing motivation; Enhancing motivation; Personalized feedback; Envisioning the future with/without change; Counselor summary; and Optional personalized change plan. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Counselors used MI principles and techniques, including using open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting change talk, and supporting self-efficacy statements.

Brief Motivational Counseling: One hour session of brief motivational counseling focused on reduction of heavy drinking.

This was a 1-hr behavioral counseling session designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. It began with an introduction and rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's daily stress level and strategies used to cope. Experience with meditation and relaxation were explored. The counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction, namely: the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; meditation and relaxation can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. Didactic information about mental and physical stress and coping was provided. Two strategies were practiced: a simple, guided breathing meditation and a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Relaxation training: One hour training in relaxation techniques

This is a 1-hr motivational intervention session. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the participant's drinking, discussing current experiences, goals and plans in different domains (education, work, financial independence, social transitions, relationships). The counselor explored how drinking fit into the participant's life and explored risk and protective factors. The session involved: Assessing motivation; Enhancing motivation; Personalized feedback; Envisioning the future with/without change; Counselor summary; and Optional personalized change plan. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Counselors used MI principles and techniques, including using open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting change talk, and supporting self-efficacy statements.

Brief Motivational Counseling: One hour session of brief motivational counseling focused on reduction of heavy drinking.

This was a 1-hr behavioral counseling session designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. It began with an introduction and rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's daily stress level and strategies used to cope. Experience with meditation and relaxation were explored. The counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction, namely: the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; meditation and relaxation can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. Didactic information about mental and physical stress and coping was provided. Two strategies were practiced: a simple, guided breathing meditation and a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Relaxation training: One hour training in relaxation techniques

This is a 1-hr motivational intervention session. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the participant's drinking, discussing current experiences, goals and plans in different domains (education, work, financial independence, social transitions, relationships). The counselor explored how drinking fit into the participant's life and explored risk and protective factors. The session involved: Assessing motivation; Enhancing motivation; Personalized feedback; Envisioning the future with/without change; Counselor summary; and Optional personalized change plan. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Counselors used MI principles and techniques, including using open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting change talk, and supporting self-efficacy statements.

Brief Motivational Counseling: One hour session of brief motivational counseling focused on reduction of heavy drinking.

This was a 1-hr behavioral counseling session designed to control for nonspecific therapeutic effects by providing equivalent levels of attention from and rapport with a counselor. It began with an introduction and rapport building. The counselor asked about the participant's daily stress level and strategies used to cope. Experience with meditation and relaxation were explored. The counselor presented a rationale for the use of REL for alcohol reduction, namely: the transition to adulthood can be stressful, and stress can lead to increased alcohol use; meditation and relaxation can reduce stress and thereby prevent excessive alcohol use. Didactic information about mental and physical stress and coping was provided. Two strategies were practiced: a simple, guided breathing meditation and a full-body progressive muscle relaxation. The session concluded with a review of the participant's experiences during the 2 exercises and a recommendation to practice the techniques regularly.

Relaxation training: One hour training in relaxation techniques

This is a 1-hr motivational intervention session. The counselor built rapport while eliciting information about the participant's drinking, discussing current experiences, goals and plans in different domains (education, work, financial independence, social transitions, relationships). The counselor explored how drinking fit into the participant's life and explored risk and protective factors. The session involved: Assessing motivation; Enhancing motivation; Personalized feedback; Envisioning the future with/without change; Counselor summary; and Optional personalized change plan. Participant strengths, protective factors, and autonomy/ability to make changes were elicited and supported. Counselors used MI principles and techniques, including using open-ended questions, reflective listening, eliciting change talk, and supporting self-efficacy statements.

Brief Motivational Counseling: One hour session of brief motivational counseling focused on reduction of heavy drinking.