SBIRT

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a procedural model that encourages healthcare providers to screen every patient that comes in for high risk substance abuse behavior, including prescription drug abuse and other drug and alcohol use.

SBIRT is not targeted at those needing treatment but at preventing those who may need treatment in the future. According to the results of the screening, primary care physicians can provide a brief intervention based primarily in motivational interviewing techniques, and if indicated, will refer patients to professionals who can determine whether the patient would benefit from treatment. POP provides trainings on this procedure for healthcare practitioners that can last anywhere between ten to sixty minutes, allowing them to be conducted as part of an existing meeting/professional development opportunity or on their own.

SBIRT evidence shows that if screening is provided to all patients prevents those engaging in high risk substance abuse behavior from developing addictions. This can save money in health care costs at the state and healthcare facility level.