State Issue Brief - Current Research on Screening and Brief Intervention and Implications for State Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Systems

Screening- a preventive service provided in general health care settings- allows clinicians to intervene early in the course of disease or to prevent the disease before it can develop. Screening for alcohol problems can be used to identify individuals who may be at-risk for developing a problem with alcohol or who may already have a serious problem with alcohol.

When used in conjunction with a brief intervention or referral to a treatment program, alcohol screening can be a powerful tool for improving the public health. Individuals who screen positive for at-risk drinking should receive what is called a "brief intervention" - one or more brief counseling sessions with a health professional that focuses on motivation to reduce harmful levels of drinking. Individuals who are found to have more severe problems including alcohol abuse or dependence, should be referred to the care of addiction professionals in specialized treatment programs.

This brief will review current research in screening and brief intervention (SBI) in various settings, provide some examples of how State Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Agencies have implemented SBI programs, and discuss the implications for State AOD systems.

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