SBIRT for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Jessica LaHote, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Columbia University

Disqualifiers: Non-English/Spanish speakers

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 30

400 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a program called SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) to determine its effectiveness for individuals engaging in risky drinking or drug use at sexual and reproductive health clinics. The goal is to assess whether SBIRT can improve alcohol and substance use habits, mental and physical health, and overall quality of life compared to usual care. Researchers are also examining whether the program's effectiveness varies based on factors such as ethnicity, income, and delivery method (in-person or online). Suitable participants are adults living in the U.S. with internet access who exhibit risky alcohol or substance use behaviors. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to enhance understanding and improve health interventions for risky behaviors.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that SBIRT is safe for patients with alcohol and substance use disorders?

Research shows that SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is widely used and has a strong safety record. This method helps identify and address risky alcohol and substance use early. Studies have found it effective in various settings, such as doctors' offices and public health centers.

No major safety concerns have been reported, indicating that SBIRT is generally well-tolerated. It involves discussions with a healthcare provider about substance use, which is safe and non-invasive. Its widespread use in many health centers further supports its safety.

In short, SBIRT does not involve taking any medication or undergoing a procedure. It focuses on conversations and guidance, ensuring safety for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about SBIRT because it offers a structured approach to tackling alcohol and substance use disorders by integrating screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment components. Unlike traditional care that varies by provider and often lacks a standardized method, SBIRT provides a consistent framework that can be applied both in-person and via telemedicine. This approach not only aims to identify and address substance use issues early but also ensures that patients receive timely and appropriate referrals for further treatment. By standardizing these processes, SBIRT has the potential to improve outcomes and make interventions more accessible and effective.

What evidence suggests that SBIRT is effective for alcohol and substance use disorders?

Research shows that SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment), which participants in this trial may receive, effectively reduces risky alcohol and drug use. Studies have found that SBIRT helps people cut down on alcohol and drugs and encourages them to seek help for addiction. This evidence-based method is used in many healthcare settings to identify and address risky behaviors. By combining early intervention and treatment services, it offers a comprehensive public health approach. SBIRT has been particularly successful in improving outcomes for those at risk of substance use problems. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kelli S Hall, MD

Principal Investigator

Columbia University

Justine Welsh, MD

Principal Investigator

Emory University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 in the U.S. with internet access who show risky alcohol or substance use behaviors based on standardized screening. It's focused on patients at sexual and reproductive health clinics, aiming to improve various aspects of their health and wellbeing.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18 years old.

U.S. residing

Have internet access (own a computer or smart phone)

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot communicate in English or Spanish.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation

Participants receive the SBIRT intervention or usual care, with data collected on alcohol and substance use behaviors

12 months

In-person and telemedicine visits

Sustainment

Continued monitoring and data collection on the use of SBIRT in clinics

12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main intervention phases

3 months

Surveys at baseline, 30 days, and 3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SBIRT

Trial Overview The trial tests SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) effectiveness in-person or via telemedicine compared to usual care. It examines impacts on substance use, sexual/reproductive health, mental/physical health, quality of life across different demographics.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients at study clinics who are randomized to receive the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) intervention, which is delivered in-person and through telemedicine.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients at study clinics who are randomized to receive usual care. None of the clinic sites have implemented standardized screening, brief intervention, or referral to treatment components. In this setting, usual care consists of basic quantity and frequency questions asked inconsistently as part of the admission process and varying by provider, with no standardized approach to screening, treatment, follow-up, or referral.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,529

Recruited

2,832,000+

Emory University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,735

Recruited

2,605,000+

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Collaborator

Trials

865

Recruited

1,091,000+

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

Collaborator

Trials

19

Recruited

15,000+

Stanford University

Collaborator

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7666646/

Effect of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to ... To test the efficacy of a brief intervention to reduce alcohol or drug use and to promote use of addiction services among patients seeking mental health ...

2. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/sbirt

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment ... SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8496756/

Alcohol Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to ... SBIRT is an evidence-based, integrated public health approach used to identify and address risky alcohol use among women in a variety of health and social ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834257

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral ... This cross-sectional study used survey data of clinicians from multiple primary care specialties to evaluate screening, brief intervention, ...

5. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/foc.9.1.foc130

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment ... Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT): Toward a Public Health Approach to the Management of Substance Abuse. Thomas F. Babor, Ph.D., ...

6. cms.gov cms.gov/outreach-and-education/medicare-learning-network-mln/mlnproducts/downloads/sbirt_factsheet_icn904084.pdf

Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment ( ... We pay for medically reasonable and necessary SBIRT services in both physicians' offices and outpatient hospital settings, including public health centers, ...

7. jahonline.org jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(22)00348-2/fulltext

Substance Use Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral ... This study evaluated the implementation and outcomes of a multisite initiative to identify and intervene in adolescent substance use across the many settings ...