Drink/Rethink – November 2023 

Drink Rethink is a preventative approach helping students to reflect on their drinking, considering the risks associated and the benefits of cutting down. 

The intervention is delivered by trained student ambassadors who use a nationally recognised evidence-based behaviour change tool (Identification and Brief Advice - IBA). 

We trained 5 students, a Students' Union member of staff and the VP Community and Welfare to deliver 3 hours of engagement outside of OneZone. They engaged 207 students to complete the AUDIT and receive a leaflet specific to their alcohol risk level. This was double the engagement that we had at the interventions held the previous year. 

From a students’ participant perspective, after being approached by an ambassador and agreeing to take part, each student completed the three AUDIT-C questions. If a score of more than 4 was reached at this stage, students were then asked the remaining AUDIT questions. 

Students were then shown their total AUDIT score followed were given a leaflet tailored according to the AUDIT risk categories of alcohol dependency (low risk, increasing risk, high risk and higher risk/possibly dependent). 

Students were also signposted towards welfare and support services at UWE and The Students’ Union for further advice. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, participants were invited to complete online surveys three weeks after completing the initial AUDIT.  

Our main findings from this follow up survey are as follows: 

62% of respondents agreed that Drink Rethink gave them information about their alcohol consumption that they weren’t aware of previously.  

38% of respondents agreed that Drink Rethink made them change how much alcohol they drink. 

38% of respondents agreed that Drink Rethink made them think about changing how they drink alcohol.  

32% of respondents agreed that Drink Rethink made them change how often they drink alcohol.