Screening and Brief Intervention for Substance Use (2025-2026 Recording)-Screening and Brief Intervention for Substance Use Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Corey McBrayer’s didactic session focused on SBIRT: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment, an evidence-based framework for identifying and addressing substance use in clinical settings. He emphasized that substance use disorder often begins in adolescence, with most affected individuals starting before age 18, and highlighted major disparities in overdose deaths and treatment access by race and age.<br /><br />The talk reviewed why universal screening matters: it normalizes conversations about alcohol, nicotine, vaping, and drug use; helps clinicians identify risky use early; and supports more equitable care. Dr. McBrayer walked through common screening tools for adults, pregnant patients, and adolescents, including NIDA Quick Screen, AUDIT-C, TAPS, DAST, Modified ASSIST, CRAFFT, and the adolescent screening tools STDI and S2BI. He noted that the best tool is the one a clinic can use consistently.<br /><br />He also explained brief intervention, especially motivational interviewing, as a short, patient-centered conversation that uses empathy, readiness assessment, and goal setting to support behavior change. Key principles included asking permission, avoiding judgment, exploring the patient’s own reasons for change, and helping develop realistic, SMART goals.<br /><br />Finally, he reviewed billing and documentation for screening and brief intervention, noting that separate codes and time documentation can support reimbursement, including Medicare-specific requirements. Overall, the session framed SBIRT as a practical, scalable way to reduce harm, identify substance use disorders early, and improve outcomes across care settings.

Keywords

SBIRT

screening

brief intervention

referral to treatment

substance use disorder

motivational interviewing

universal screening

AUDIT-C

CRAFFT

NIDA Quick Screen

adolescent substance use

billing and documentation