Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders. Primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other community settings provide opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.  The intervention focuses on the following:

  • Screening quickly assesses the severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of treatment.
  • Brief intervention focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change.
  • Referral to treatment provides those identified as needing more extensive treatment with access to specialty care.

One version of the SBIRT, known as the Florida BRITE Project, specifically targets older adults.  A second version is located at Boston University and is named Project Assert.

  • Program Goals:
  • -Identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs
  • -Primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other community settings provide opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.

 

  • Target Audience:
  • -Persons with substance use disorder and those at risk of developing these disorders

 

  • Program Description:
  • -Brief Intervention: A practice to identify a real or potential substance use problem, and to motivate an individual to do something about it
  • -Non-confrontational, short health counseling technique
  • -Not a quick fix treatment
  • -SBIRT consists of Three Major Components:
    • *Screening – a healthcare professional assesses a patient for risky substance use behaviors using standardized screening tools. Screening can occur in any healthcare setting
    • *Brief Intervention – a healthcare professional engages a patient showing risky substance use behaviors in a short conversation, providing feedback and advice
    • *Referral to Treatment – a healthcare professional provides a referral to brief therapy or additional treatment to patients who screen in need of additional services

 

  • Program Delivery:
  • -A team of Health Promotion Advocates (HPAs) consult and collaborate with hospital staff to offer patients alcohol and drug screening, brief intervention, and referrals to health  and social resources, such as substance abuse treatment and primary care services.

 

Contact information

Reference Material

Lawrence Schonfeld, et al. (2010). “Screening and brief intervention for substance misuse among older adults: The Florida BRITE Project.” American Journal of Public Health, 100(1), 108-114.