Introduction to the Special Issue: The Use of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment by Social Workers

Abstract

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence based practice intended to provide education, intervention, and treatment for people at risk of developing, or who have already developed substance use disorders. SBIRT has been in existence since the 1980s, however, barriers to implementation have impacted its’ adoption. Social work is uniquely positioned to disseminate SBIRT. This special issue provides information on the role of social work and SBIRT and future directions. It contains 14 articles that cover a variety of issues including curricular topics, implementing SBIRT in diverse settings, and insights from social workers working to address addiction. With this information, we hope to build on the foundation of knowledge of SBIRT that has been provided by past research, while providing a social work perspective, in order to provide new directions for the future.

KEYWORDS:

• SBIRT
• Social Work
• Screening and Brief Intervention

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

This manuscript has not been published elsewhere and has not been submitted to any other publication.