NCJ Number
242181
Date Published
May 2013
Length
82 pages
Annotation
This technical assistance publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes core elements of screening, brief intervention, brief treatment, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs.
Abstract
This publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes the core elements of SBIRT programs along with information on implementing SBIRT services in local communities. SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, brief treatment, and referral to treatment) is an integrated public health model aimed to providing universal screening, secondary prevention, early intervention, and timely referral for treatment for persons with substance use disorders. The SBIRT model reflects six basic characteristics: it is brief; the screening is universal; one or more specific behaviors are targeted; the services occur in a public health, medical, or other non-SUD treatment setting; it is comprehensive; and it is supported by strong research or substantial experiential evidence. The information in the publication is provided in four main chapters. Following the introductory chapter, Chapter 2 describes the components of SBIRT, outlines the evidence supporting the model, and provides highlights of SAMHSA's SBIRT initiative. Chapter 3 discusses options for implementing SBIRT, while Chapter 4 describes key implementation and sustainability issues associated with SBIRT. The final chapter of the publication presents case studies from SBIRT grantee programs implemented in the States of Washington and New Mexico.