Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a public health approach to addressing substance use issues. Data indicates 21% of U.S. adults engage in risky alcohol use while only 4% are considered dependent. While it is important to provide treatment for addiction, services are also needed to address at-risk use. In 2006, Colorado received a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration to implement SBIRT in healthcare settings statewide. The program known as SBIRT Colorado expanded its reach into dental centers, HIV clinics, public health agencies, and employee assistance programs (EAPs). SBIRT Colorado is currently working to implement standardized SBIRT protocols and evaluation methods in EAPs statewide. This session will provide an overview of the SBIRT process and implementation strategies for EAPs, describe evidence-based screening tools that can be used to identify levels of risk among clients, and explore brief intervention techniques to encourage behavior change.


Learning Objectives:
1) Describe SBIRT and evidence supporting the model;
2) Identify evidence based screening tools to assess for risky substance use and demonstrate effective brief intervention skills; and
3) Identify implementation protocols tailored for EA practice.
Brie Reimann - Brie Reimann provides support to various settings across Colorado to implement evidence based screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) protocols to prevent substance use disorders. She is currently working with several EAPs in Colorado to standardize SBIRT and establish methods to track outcomes through follow up interviews.