Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

 
Blue SBIRT logo of hands on top of each other that reads "SBIRT Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment"

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

Carleen Zambetti, Clinical Manager, carleen.zambetti@ct.gov, 
(860) 418-6979

 

SBIRT is an evidence-based prevention and early intervention initiative designed to increase the identification of adults, through universal screening, for substance use problems. SBIRT identifies adults who are at moderate to high risk of developing physical health, psychiatric and psycho-social problems related to substance misuse. 

What is a Standard Drink?

Image of different types of beverages, their standard serving size and the percent of alcohol in each one. The first one is an image of green can of beer that reads above it "12 fl oz of regular beer" and "about 5% alcohol" below it. The second image is a 12 oz glass with a yellow/gold liquid. Above the image reads :8-9 fl oz of malt liquor (shown in a 12 oz glass)" and "about 7% alcohol" below it. The third image is a wine glass filled with red wine. Above the image it reads "5 fl oz of table wine" and below the image it reads "about 12% alcohol". The fourth image is of a taller glass of wine filled with a lighter red wine. Above it reads, "3-4 fl oz of fortified wine (such as sherry or port 3.5 oz shown)" and below it reads "about 17% alcohol". The fifth image is a wine glass with a yellow liquid in it. Above the image reads, "2-3 fl oz of cordial, liqueur or apertif (2.5 oz shown)" and below it reads "about 24% alcohol". The sixth images is a cognac glass with a brown liquid inside. Above it reads, "1.5 fl oz of brandy or cognac (a single jigger or shot)" and below it reads, "about 40% alcohol". The final image is a small shot glass with a brown liquid. Above it reads, "1.5 fl oz shot of 80 proof distilled spirits" and below it reads, "40% alcohol".

The SBIRT model identifies a substance use problem as… 
EXCESSIVE USE

Blue and white graphic which whose a chart describing low-risk drinking limits for men and women. The graphic includes a calendar and a chart indicating to stay low-risk men should drink no more than 4 drinks on a single day and women should drink no more than 3 drinks on a single day AND men should drink no more than 14 drinks per week and women should drink no more than 7 drinks per week. At the bottom of the graphic it reads, "To stay low risk, keep within BOTH the single day AND weekly limits."

SBIRT

SBIRT uses a public health approach to universally screen for substance use problems.
SBIRT provides an immediate rule out of non-problem users.
SBIRT identifies adults who would benefit from brief advice and education.
SBIRT identifies adults who would benefit from further assessment.

KNOW THE RISKS

Box that lists Short-Term Health Risks. Injuries: Motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, burns. Violence: Homicide, suicide, sexual assault, intimate partner violence. Alcohol Poisoning. Reproductive Health: Risky sexual behaviors, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, miscarriage, stillbirth, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).                                    Box listing Long-Term Health Risks. Chronic disease: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems. Cancers: breast, mouth and throat, liver, colon. Learning and memory problems: Dementia, poor school performance. Mental health: depression, anxiety. Social problems: Lost productivity, family problems, unemployment. Alcohol dependence.

 

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