Adolescent SBIRT

Helping social workers and nurses prevent adolescent substance use

 

    1. Adolescent SBIRT

As key members of an adolescent’s healthcare team, practitioners in the fields of nursing, social work and interprofessional care have an obligation to help prevent and reduce substance use with their young patients. Asking about substance use and discussing its impact can prevent many harmful effects to the adolescent’s developing brain and potential future. The current and future generations of healthcare professionals need to learn the skills to have essential conversations with adolescents about substance use. NORC's Adolescent SBIRT Initiative provides tools, resources, and services to make it easy to gain these essential skills. 

     

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    What is SBIRT?

     

    SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with risky and dependent alcohol use, treatment and ongoing recovery supports.

    - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

    Administration (SAMHSA)

    Screening quickly assesses for the presence of risky substance use, follows positive screens with further assessment of problem 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 medications, primary care counseling or specialty care as needed by the patient.