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SBIRT

SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is important for opioid use because it provides an effective framework for early identification and intervention, which can prevent the escalation of opioid misuse into addiction. By incorporating SBIRT into various healthcare settings, practitioners can:

Identify Early: Quickly screen individuals to detect risky opioid use before it develops into a more serious disorder.
Intervene Promptly: Engage in brief interventions that can motivate individuals to change their behavior and reduce opioid use, minimizing health risks.
Facilitate Access to Treatment: Ensure that individuals who need more intensive support are referred to appropriate treatment programs, improving their chances of recovery.

This proactive approach can significantly reduce the incidence of opioid use disorder, lower healthcare costs, and improve overall public health outcomes.

What Are We Doing?

Performing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for substance use in every pregnant and non-pregnant person of reproductive age.

Why are we doing SBIRT?

Drug-related deaths contribute to pregnancy associated deaths, with substance use being a preventable causal or correlating factor in maternal mortality. SBIRT for substance use needs to be done as part of your duty as a medical professional. It is the standard of care.

Where are we supposed to do this?

In all settings where a pregnant person or non-pregnant person of reproductive age seeks services.

Who can do this?

A wide variety of health care staff can perform SBIRT, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, licensed midwives, and licensed clinical social workers.

When are we supposed to do this?

All Physicians, Advanced Practitioners and Nurses: When a pregnant or non-pregnant person of reproductive age is being seen for the first time (first contact). – or – When you first recognize a pregnancy. Additionally, on an annual basis, if you are providing continuous care for a pregnant or non-pregnant person of reproductive age.

How do I do this?

The Adopt SBIRT team at CASAT/UNR serves Nevada with expertise and key resources to assist organizations to promote, prepare, adopt, and implement SBIRT. Please complete the Online Training Readiness Form (see link above) to get started today

SBIRT Resources

Websites

Adopt SBIRT

Adopt SBIRT serves Nevada with expertise and key resources to assist organizations to promote, prepare, adopt, and implement SBIRT.

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

This website from SAMHSA provides information on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, which it describes as "an approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment to people with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing these disorders."

Tools & Resources

Adopt SBIRT

Adopt SBIRT serves Nevada with expertise and key resources to assist organizations to promote, prepare, adopt, and implement SBIRT.

teachSBIRT Curriculum Infusion Packet (CIP)

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is designed to provide universal screening, secondary prevention (detecting risky or hazardous substance use before the onset of abuse or dependence), and early intervention and treatment within health care settings for people who have problematic or hazardous alcohol problems. Nevada’s Train, Educate, Adopt & Collaborate for Healthcare SBIRT (teachSBIRT) Curriculum Infusion Packet (CIP) is designed to provide resources for faculty in helping profession academic programs (e.g., Social Work, Counseling, Psychology and Behavioral Health) to present SBIRT to students.

The Conversation Guide for Delivering a Trauma-Informed Brief Intervention

The link between childhood trauma and substance use disorders is well-documented in the literature. This resource acknowledges that link and is intended to help healthcare providers deliver a brief intervention for substance use using a trauma-informed care approach. Whether you are well-versed in the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) process, or just looking for an effective way to address substance use concerns with your patients, this guide provides practical examples to facilitate that conversation. The left column provides scripts and concrete strategies to move through the brief intervention process, while the right column provides considerations to ensure trauma-informed care principles are integrated into the delivery.

Screening Tools

Reference Guide for Labor and Delivery Complicated By Substance Use

This reference guide aims to address some of these variances and provide a resource with best practices, guidelines, and protocols for medical professionals involved in the care of pregnant patients with OUD who are admitted to L&D units for delivery and their infants up until discharge.

Reference Guide for Reproductive Health Complicated by Substance Use

The intention for this guide is to provide basic directives for successfully implementing Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), into the clinical setting. SBIRT, specifically how to apply it to pregnant and non-pregnant persons of reproductive age populations.

Posters & Infographics

Perinatal Health Media Toolkit

This Perinatal Health Media Toolkit was developed to raise awareness of these resources and the use of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). #PerinatalHealthSBIRT

View the Toolkit

Publications

TAP 33: Systems-Level Implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

This guide describes core elements of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs for people living with or at risk for substance use disorders. It provides information on implementing SBIRT services and covering challenges, barriers, cost, and sustainability.

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide

“Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide” is designed to help health care professionals quickly identify youth at risk for alcohol-related problems. NIAAA developed the Guide and Pocket Guide in collaboration with a team of underage drinking researchers and clinical specialists and practicing health care professionals.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services for Opioid Dependence Billing Instructions Guide

The Division of Health Care Financing and Policy has taken action to address the opioid crisis by updating Nevada Medicaid policy and opening Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)-related evaluation and management (E/M) codes for billing by Nevada Medicaid providers effective with dates of service on or after January 1, 2020. In addition to MAT related E/M codes, Nevada Medicaid opened Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) codes to assist providers in performing screening services to recipients at risk or struggling with Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

Webinars & Online Learning

Current News & Research

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