About SBIRT

An Early Intervention Approach

The SBIRT Initiative represents a paradigm shift in the provision of treatment for substance use and abuse. The services are different from, but designed to work in concert with, specialized or traditional treatment.

New Target Population

The primary focus of specialized treatment has been persons with more severe substance use or those who have met the criteria for a Substance Use Disorder. The SBIRT Initiative targets those with nondependent substance use and provides effective strategies for intervention prior to the need for more extensive or specialized treatment.

System for Assessment, Intervention, and Treatment

The Initiative involves implementation of a system within community and/or medical settings—including physician offices, hospitals, educational institutions, and mental health centers—that screens for and identifies individuals with or at-risk for substance use-related problems. Screening determines the severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of intervention. The system provides for brief intervention or brief treatment within the community setting or motivates and refers those identified as needing more extensive services than provided in the community setting to a specialist setting for assessment, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

Approach is Successful

As of January 2007, SBIRT grantees funded by SAMHSA have screened over 460,000 individuals. Through grantees efforts, researchers are learning how to integrate SBIRT into primary care. Preliminary data suggest the approach is successful in modifying the consumption/use patterns of those who consume five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting and those who use illegal substances. These grantees have implemented SBIRT in trauma centers/emergency rooms, community clinics, federally qualified health centers, and school clinics.