Screening Women for At-Risk Alcohol Use: An Introduction to Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in Women's Health

Abstract

A significant number of women engage in at-risk drinking behavior, or heavy alcohol use. Women are especially at risk for the negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption secondary to gender differences in body structure, chemistry, and alcohol absorption. In addition, women who drink alcohol during pregnancy risk fetotoxic effects. Screening for at-risk alcohol use is considered best practice during primary care and prenatal care visits and is an integral component of preventive care services for women. The purpose of this brief report is to introduce the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model as it applies to alcohol use and its importance in women's health care services. SBIRT resources are evidence based, allowing the clinician to screen for use of alcohol, implement a brief intervention, and conduct referral to treatment, if necessary. Implementing SBIRT improves recognition of at-risk alcohol use or alcohol use disorder, facilitates awareness and education about use, enhances the referral-to-treatment process, and decreases overall health care costs.