Central East Webinar Resources Page

SCREENING, BRIEF INTERVENTION, REFERRAL TO TREATMENT: 

Alex Waitt
January 09, 2023

What is SBIRT?

SBIRT is an evidence-based approach to addressing substance use disorders, with research showing that it can be effective in reducing substance use harm. It can be used in a variety of healthcare settings, including primary care, emergency departments, and clinics. By identifying and addressing substance use disorders early, SBIRT can help improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of substance use on individuals, families, and communities.

SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. 

• Screening: SBIRT begins with a screening process to identify individuals who may be at risk for substance use disorders. This is typically done through a brief questionnaire or interview.
• Brief Intervention: For individuals who screen positive for substance use, a brief intervention is conducted to provide feedback, motivation, and skills to reduce or eliminate their use. This may involve counseling, goal setting, and education.
• Referral to Treatment: For individuals who require further intervention or treatment, SBIRT provides a referral to specialized services, such as substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, or medical care.

This training was offered to providers of the Neighborhood Health Centers of the Lehigh Valley (NHCLV) and covered the SBIRT approach in providing treatment services to those with substance use disorders. By the end of the training, participants were able to: (1) Identify the moving components of SBIRT; (2) Discuss the need to address substance use from a public health model; and (3) Review the two screening tools: CRAFFT & CAGE AID.

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RESOURCES

• Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Adolescents and Adults: Screening and Behavioral Counseling Interventions – 2018 recommends “screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse.”
• Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth – A Practitioner’s Guide from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is designed to help health care professionals quickly identify youth at risk for alcohol-related problems.
• Preventative Health Services for Adults within the Affordable Care Act includes Alcohol Misuse Screening and Counseling for Adults.
• TAP 33: Systems-Level Implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) – 2013 describes core elements of SBIRT programs for people with or at risk for substance use disorders.
• CAGE AID Substance Abuse Screening Tool 

This webinar was provided by the Central East ATTC.

The HHS Region 3 TTCs (Central East ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC) are programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and managed by the Danya Institute.