SBIRT for Healthcare Professionals

Screening: A universal screening is used to quickly assess the patient’s use (and severity) of alcohol and either prescription or illicit drugs. Many people consume either alcoholic beverages or any number of drugs regularly for a variety of different reasons. The goal of the screening is to assess the use and severity of tobacco; alcohol; illicit drugs; and prescription drug use and misuse.

Brief Intervention: Provides feedback about risky behaviors. It also focuses on education, increasing patient insight and awareness about risks related to unhealthy substance use, and enhances motivation toward behavioral change.

Referral to Treatment: Referrals to specialty care are written for patients with treatment needs greater than an intervention.

SBIRT is used to identify and intervene with individuals who currently have a substance use disorder and those who are considered to be at high risk.

The unhealthy use of substances, such as alcohol and illegal or prescription drugs, is a major preventable public health problem.  SBIRT is generally a successful attempt to get people the help they need before use becomes a chronic problem. If the patient is already experiencing chronic addiction symptoms, then a specialized SBIRT plan can help get them back to living the life they deserve.

Primary care centers, hospitals, and other community settings provide excellent opportunities for early intervention with both at-risk substance users and those with substance-use disorders.

SBIRT developed by VitALabama

Community Health Workers

Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in helping us bridge the gap between community and healthcare services. CHWs help increase the number of patients receiving SUD/OUD services and increase the number of patients who receive referrals to community support services