Our second hypothesis was that the prevention programs would have an effect on decreasing alcohol use. We found that participating in either prevention program was associated with lower post-program levels of all alcohol use behaviors, and particularly strongly associated with a decrease in risky outcomes (maximum drinks and AUD symptoms), as compared with students who received no alcohol prevention. As this study only covered a six month period, longer-term follow-ups will be necessary to determine whether these kinds of prevention programs have persistent effects. The Spit for Science sample will continue to be assessed throughout their college years, providing an opportunity to examine the longer-term impact of these prevention programs.
