Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

As defined by SAMHSA, "SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are at risk of developing these disorders.“

Primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers, and other community settings provide opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.

• Screening quickly assesses the severity of substance use and identifies the appropriate level of treatment.

• Brief intervention focuses on increasing insight and awareness regarding substance use and motivation toward behavioral change.

• Referral to treatment provides those identified as needing more extensive treatment with access to specialty care." We have been engaged in SBIRT implementation efforts for well over a decade and have been able to support programs to make lasting changes in their integration of SBIRT. Resources available here include videos that provide background on the SBIRT process as well as brief demonstrations of implementing SBIRT.

• SBIRT in Action

• Screening for Substance Use

• Motivational interviewing core skills in action

• Motivational Interviewing Strategies in the Brief Negotiated Interview

• The Personalized Reflective Discussion

• Screening and Brief Motivational Intervention for Cannabis Misuse

• Brief Negotiated Interview: Reluctant Patient

• Brief Negotiated Interview: Treatment Referral

• Addressing Risky Alcohol Use

• An MET Approach for Treating Chronic Pain

• SBIRT Expert Reflective Discussion Cannabis Clinical Competencies

Recently, we have seen a dramatic change in our cultural relationship with cannabis. There is increasingly greater support for marijuana legalization, with over 40 states having provisions for medicinal use and over 20 of those allowing recreational use.

At the same time, there are continued concerns regarding the impact of increased cannabis use, especially in light of the changing potency, dosage, and methods of use. In response to providers’ stated challenges and needs, C4BHI, in partnership with JBS International, Inc. developed the following guide and screening tool to support providers to be able to screen for and discuss cannabis use with their patients and clients.

If you desire training for your staff or organization to develop cannabis clinical competencies, we can provide that as well.