Brief Intervention

Brief intervention (BI) is a conversation that focuses on encouraging healthy choices so that the risk behaviors are prevented, reduced, or stopped. In the context of SBIRT, regardless of which screening tool is used, a BI follows as a direct response to the reported substance use frequency and risk level. The following table outlines the spectrum of use and goals for BI.

Source: Levy SH, Williams JF; Committee on Substance Use and Prevention. Substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(1):e20161211; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-1211. Full report available at: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1211.