Due to unrecognized and/or untreated alcohol, drug, and mental health problems employers are exposed to unnecessary costs for health insurance, missed work, and workplace productivity. By adapting the evidence-based model SBIRT to be used in EAPs, two Colorado EAPs have assisted countless employees with alcohol/drug and mental health issues get assistance before alcohol/drug use and/or mental health issues jeopardizes their health, employment, and families. This panel presentation will detail how the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program and Peer Assistance Services have incorporated standardized screening measures and follow-up protocols into their programs, which could be replicated in other EAP settings.
1) Identify evidence-based practices for implementing SBIRT in EAP settings; 2) Describe methods for following-up with clients who screen "positive" for risky alcohol use and mental health issues; and 3) Identify results of preliminary analyses of SBIRT effectiveness in two Colorado EAP settings.