ABOUT SBIRT

SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. It is an evidence-based approach to identify individuals who use substances (alcohol and other drugs) at risky levels. SBIRT’s three main components are:

• Screening: Universal screening using standardized tools to identify people who are using substances at a risky level
• Brief Intervention: Engaging in a short conversation about the potential impacts of substance use and a person’s motivation to make a change
• Referral to Treatment: If needed, referral for assessment and services

SBIRT can be delivered in many settings such as schools, health clinics, and hospitals, and can be delivered by many types of providers including nurses, doctors, behavioral health clinicians, and others.

The goal of SBIRT is to prevent or reduce use of substances to prevent related health consequences, disease, accidents and injuries through a preventive, public health approach.