SBIRT Across the Lifespan: Meeting the Goals of Healthy People 2020

SBIRT Across the Lifespan: Meeting the Goals of Healthy People 2020 Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is gaining momentum and showing positive outcomes in reducing negative outcomes of alcohol and other drug consumption across the lifespan. A recent study (Knight et al, 2012) using a 5 minute computer screening followed by discussing the results with a pediatrician, reduced the risk of drinking almost 50% for three months, and by close to 25% by year’s end. Pediatricians were provided with “talking points” following the screening. Healthy People 2020’s objectives includes several objectives related to substance abuse, including 2 notable teen objectives (SA1 and SA2) calling for reducing the proportion of adolescents who report that they rode with someone who had been drinking (by 10%) and increasing the number of teens who have never used substances (by 10%). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA) new screening guidelines in 2011 focus on SBIRT in youth ages 9-18, with screening questions for elementary, middle and high school students to evaluate risk (lower, moderate and highest risk). Step by step algorithms then guide the patient who does not drink and assess risk for those who do drink alcohol. Brief interventions are provided for low risk, moderate risk and highest risk patients and follow up guidelines. Implementing the new youth SBIRT guidelines in primary practice sites is the next step after trauma centers and college campuses which has been well documented. The adult SBIRT guidelines have been available on the NIAAA website www.NIAAA.gov. Nurse Practitioner faculty should routinely prepare graduates to implement the guidelines in order to promote accomplishment of the Healthy People 2020 Objectives related to Substance Abuse. This presentation will review the evidence supporting SBIRT and prepare faculty to gain competency using SBIRT tools for primary care and specialty practices, with a special focus on using the new NIAAA tool for youth. Nurse Practitioners who implement the guidelines across the lifespan with patients will promote the goals of Healthy People 2020 to reduce the impact of alcohol and other drugs in youth, and across the lifespan.