Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment

Three major components

As explained by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), SBIRT consists of three major components:

• Screening: A healthcare professional assesses a patient for risky substance use behaviours using standardized screening tools in any healthcare and school-based healthcare setting.
• Brief Intervention: A healthcare professional engages a patient showing risky substance use behaviours in a short conversation, providing feedback and advice.
• Referral to treatment: A healthcare professional provides a referral to brief therapy or additional treatment to patients who screen in need of additional services

Screening

Screening in primary care settings is recommended by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force for alcohol misuse accompanied with brief behavioral counseling interventions for those engaged in risky or hazardous drinking to reduce alcohol misuse.

Screening using formal screening tools or questions can quickly assess the severity of substance use, though importantly, this procedure is distinct from simply asking whether someone drinks alcohol or uses drugs. Individuals at certain levels of risk may receive tailored feedback on risky behavior, which can greatly influence patient behavior. Screening large numbers of individuals present an opportunity to engage those who are in need of treatment and refer them to correct resources. Efforts to provide an evidence base for alcohol screening and brief intervention in primary health care settings have been started since the 1980s in the US and the World Health Organization. This research led to the development of reliable screening tools for substance use, such as the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, the CAGE, and the Drug Abuse Screening Test.

Research also extended to understanding the best mode of administration of such screening assessments, as part of a clinician interview via a questionnaire, or electronically. Using computers as a means of screening has been in evolution for two decades and recent studies have shown promise for this method. One such study examined the effect of electronic screening with personalized feedback on adolescent health risk behaviours in a primary care setting. In a randomized clinical trial, involving 300 youth randomly assigned to receive screening through an electronic screening tool called Check Yourself with personalized feedback vs usual care, youths who received the electronic screening intervention were more likely than controls to receive risk counseling and also, scored lower on risk behavior. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of screening in primary care settings continues to grow and the positive evidence from this research has encouraged national demonstration programs in the US to control substance use, such as King County's Best Start for Kids. In the United States, the dissemination of SBIRT technologies has been strongly supported by SAMHSA's SBIRT initiative. Universal, annual screening identifies unhealthy use of alcohol and drugs, and it's reported that 75-85% of patients will screen negative. For those who screen positive, further assessment is needed to determine the level of risk associated with their use.

Brief intervention

Following the screening, if it is determined that individuals substance use is hazardous, brief intervention is conducted. The brief intervention aims at providing detailed feedback, which focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and instills motivation towards behavioral change. Originally, the brief intervention utilized brief advice approaches, whereas current U.S. SBIRT efforts focus on motivational interviewing approaches of various lengths. Intervention usually includes giving feedback on the risks and negative consequences of substance use, advising on modifying alcohol and drug use and suggestions options to choose from to modify risky behavior, hence encouraging the individual to exercise decision making.

An important strategy used to conduct Brief Intervention is FRAMES; Feedback on the risk for alcohol problems, Responsibility: where the individual with alcohol misuse is responsible for change, Advice: about reduction or explicit direction to change, Menu: providing a variety of strategies for change, Empathy: with a warm, reflective, empathic and understanding approach and Self-efficacy of the misusing person in making a change.

Referral to treatment

In cases where brief intervention has shown to have a little effect, the individuals are referred to treatment. A referral is usually indicated for only about 5% of people screened.

Applications & Implementation of SBIRT

The applications of SBIRT are very flexible so it can be delivered in various settings, including, primary care centres, school-based health centers, clinics, and other community settings provide excellent opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users and for intervention for persons with substance use disorders. SBIRT has proved its importance in many medical settings in facilitating early identification of risky substance use, therefore many recent studies are exploring new approaches to understanding SBIRT and how best to implement the intervention to achieve the greatest positive results.