What is SBIRT

SBIRT IS PROACTIVE. SBIRT IS PREVENTIVE.

The three parts of SBIRT are
– Screening: determining the level of substance use
– Brief Intervention: building motivation through a conversation
– Referral to Treatment: linking the patient with appropriate services

SCREENING: THE FIRST STEP

The first step is universal prescreening for alcohol use as part of routine healthcare. For individuals with a positive prescreen, a more indepth screening identifies the level of intervention needed. Screen with validated screening tools such as the AUDIT, DAST, ASSIST for adults and CRAFFT for adolescents.

BRIEF INTERVENTION: WHEN A SCREENING INDICATES RISK

BI is the core of SBIRT. Using Motivational Interviewing techniques, brief intervention is a collaborative conversation that raises a person’s awareness of substance use and its consequences, and encourages behavioral change. A typical BI takes 5-15 minutes. Fifteen percent of those screened require brief intervention.

REFERRAL TO TREATMENT

After a screening result of higher risk—about five percent of those screened—a referral to further assessment and specialty treatment is provided.

Healthcare testimonials

“Screening and brief intervention improves our care and treatment outcomes. It is cost-effective and truly belongs in the primary care setting. The most important change fostered is a shift in the culture of the healthcare professionals—encouraging open and honest dialogue in the exam room, removing judgment and stigma, treating each individual as a whole person and integrating behavioral healthcare into the healthcare setting.” —Karen M. Wyatt, MD

Employers testimonials

“Years ago, helping professionals were taught the job was always the last to go—people could hide addictions at work for decades, and very little could be done about it. Today, the message is changing to one of prevention: C-SEAP is committed to substance use screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment. We know it works. ” —Randi C. Wood, LCSW, DCSW, CEAP, Director, Colorado State Employee Assistance Program

Insurers testimonials

“Prevention is a cost-saving strategy and we view alcohol screening as a part of that prevention effort. Improving the overall health of our customers is a win-win.”

Advocates testimonials

“We championed SBIRT early on because we saw the benefits—better health, cost savings, reduce healthcare usage. And prevention is one of our priorities and we see alcohol screening as a critical element of that prevention effort.”