The purpose of this manual is to provide public health professionals, such as health educators and community health workers, with the information, skills, and tools needed to conduct SBI so that they can help at-risk drinkers reduce their alcohol use to a safe amount or stop drinking. Using this effective intervention to reduce risky drinking can help improve the health of individuals and communities by preventing the range of negative outcomes associated with excessive alcohol use: injuries and deaths, including from motor vehicle crashes; social problems, such as violence; physical and mental illnesses; and employment, relationship, and financial problems.
This manual provides background information and practical steps for conducting SBI in a variety of public health settings, including trauma centers, emergency departments, other clinical settings, home visits, and public events. The manual provides brief descriptions of the problems associated with alcohol misuse, types of alcohol use, value of a public health approach in addressing alcohol problems, history and effectiveness of SBI, and key issues in screening and brief intervention. Guidance is given on choosing a screening tool and conducting screening. The four main steps in conducting brief interventions are described, including the purpose of each step, what to do, and suggestions for what to say. Also included is information on the most commonly used screening tools, a handout for clients, and a list of additional resources.
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