The objective of this work was to identify the non-specific variables related to the success of a short intervention program for adolescent alcohol-consuming adolescents, based on the experience and opinion of a group of therapists in the program. Information obtained in interviews with eight therapists and two project leaders is reported. The results show that the factors associated with the success of the intervention relate to having firm knowledge about the theoretical basis that underpins the model, broad mastery of the program and its components, attitude of commitment towards it, belief in the possibilities of change in adolescents and skills of empathy, motivation and strengthening. Based on the findings, the importance of training and overseeing the acquisition of these variables in novice therapists is discussed.