A Call for Universal Alcohol, Drug Screening

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Curriculum Integration and Sustainability: Social Work and Nursing Faculty Perspectives

“…6 The reclassification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) of alcohol and substance abuse as substance use disorders, characterized by risky use and impaired functioning, aligns with SBIRT's public health and harm reduction model, and supports its use in clinical practice. [7][8][9] The SBIRT model fosters a philosophical shift in thinking about and responding to substance use. Using client-or patient-centered screening and motivational interviewing (MI) techniques, service providers can identify those people who use substances at risky levels and provide a brief intervention designed to motivate behavior change toward less risky levels of substance use.…”

“…The re-classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) of alcohol and substance abuse as substance use disorders, characterized by risky use and impaired functioning, aligns with SBIRT's public health and harm reduction model and supports its use in clinical practice. 7-9…”

“…Social workers and nurses are often the first points of contact in hospitals, community health and mental health clinics, and human service agencies. This positions them as essential in the implementation and integration of SBIRT into these settings 8. Therefore, social workers and nurses need to become trained in the use of SBIRT and its philosophy of universal screening and harm reduction.…”

“…This positions them as essential in the implementation and integration of SBIRT into these settings. 8 Therefore, social workers and nurses need to become trained in the use of SBIRT and its philosophy of universal screening and harm reduction. Teaching SBIRT during the formal education and socialization into the professions of social work and nursing maximizes understanding and adoption of the model.…”