Review

Adapting Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Alcohol and Drugs to Culturally Diverse Clinical Populations

Manuel, Jennifer K. PhD; Satre, Derek D. PhD; Tsoh, Janice PhD; Moreno-John, Gina MD; Ramos, Jacqueline S. BA; McCance-Katz, Elinore F. MD, PhD; Satterfield, Jason M. PhD

Author Information

San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JKM), San Francisco, CA; Department of Psychiatry (DDS, JT, JSR), University of California, San Francisco, CA; Division of Research (DDS), Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region, Oakland, CA; Division of General Internal Medicine (GM-J, JMS), Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA; and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (EFM-K), Rockville, MD.

Send correspondence and reprint requests to Jennifer K. Manuel, PhD, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121. E-mail: [email protected].

Received 26 August, 2014

Accepted 17 June, 2015

This study was supported by grant U79T1020295 from SAMHSA/CSAT awarded to Dr Satterfield, and was also supported by NIHNIDA Grants P50DA09253 (PI = Joseph Guydish; [email protected]), U10DA015815 (PI = James Sorensen; [email protected]).

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Journal of Addiction Medicine 9(5):p 343-351, September/October 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000150

Abstract

Objectives:

To review the literature on the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) approach to alcohol and drug use with racial and ethnic subgroups in the United States and to develop recommendations for culturally competent SBIRT practice.

Methods:

Articles reporting on the use of SBIRT components (screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment) for alcohol and drug use were identified through a comprehensive literature search of PubMed from 1995 to 2015.

Results:

A synthesis of the published literature on racial and ethnic considerations regarding SBIRT components (including motivational interviewing techniques) was created using evidence-based findings. Recommendations on culturally competent use of SBIRT with specific ethnic groups are also described.

Conclusions:

On the basis of the literature reviewed, SBIRT offers a useful set of tools to help reduce risky or problematic substance use. Special attention to validated screeners, appropriate use of language/literacy, trust building, and incorporation of patient and community health care preferences may enhance SBIRT acceptability and effectiveness.

Practice Implications:

Providers should consider the implications of previous research when adapting SBIRT for diverse populations, and use validated screening and brief intervention methods. The accompanying case illustration provides additional information relevant to clinical practice.