The Impact of the Prime for Life Prevention Program on Substance Use Outcomes in a High-Risk Sample

Prime for Life is an evidence-based intervention tool that utilizes the most current research on intervention effectiveness in order to reduce problematic substance use among high-risk adults. The present paper examines the relation between substance use and related variables in a high-risk sample—those charged with DUIs and referred to Prime for Life. In addition to Prime for Life program data, data on individual differences in impulsivity, as measured by the UPPS, were collected before the intervention was implemented. Participants were assessed before (N=515), after (N=215), and at a 3 month follow-up (N=137) to the intervention. Results show that the Prime for Life program produced significant increases in normative knowledge about alcohol use, motivations to be low-risk for alcohol abuse, self-awareness regarding problem drinking, and perceived risk of continued alcohol abuse. Additionally, facets of the UPPS demonstrated positive relations with actual alcohol and drug use and moderated the effects of the program variables. The results demonstrate the positive impact of the Prime for Life program and highlight the importance of individual differences as they relate to substance abuse intervention outcomes.