​What if the screen is positive?

• A positive screen for drug use should trigger a more detailed conversation with the patient regarding patterns of use
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends performing the modified – Assist which is a screening tool based on the longer Assist tool developed by The World Health Organization¹
• Below is the modified-Assist adapted from The National Institute on Drug Abuse²

 

 

Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

• Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) was developed by The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment as an evidence-based method for identifying at-risk alcohol and substance use^3,4
• Screening is performed using a validated, standardized screening tool³
• Brief intervention is initiated for patients who screen positive based on the tool
  Can consist of a 3-5 minute conversation or more in-depth counseling
  Referral to treatment consists of providing the patient with additional treatment resources
  Multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of integration of SBIRT into primary care settings in reducing alcohol use⁵
• Additional information can be found at http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/sbirt

1. Additional Screening Resources. Retrieved January 15, 2014 from The National Institute on Drug Abuse Web site: http://www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/tool-resources-your-practice/additional-screening-resources
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Modified Assist Screening Tool
3.  SBIRT: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment.  Retrieved January 15, 2014 from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Web site: http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/clinical-practice/sbirt
4. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women. Treatment Improvement Protocol Series 2009: 09-4226.
5. Moyer, A. et al (2002).  Brief interventions for alcohol problems; a meta-analytic review of controlled investigations in treatment-seeking and non-treatment seeking populations. Addiction 97. 279-292.