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Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
Published in: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Study Protocol

Testing the effects of brief intervention in primary care for problem drug use in a randomized controlled trial: rationale, design, and methods

Authors: Antoinette Krupski, Jutta M Joesch, Chris Dunn, Dennis Donovan, Kristin Bumgardner, Sarah Peregrine Lord, Richard Ries, Peter Roy-Byrne

Published in: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

A substantial body of research has established the effectiveness of brief interventions for problem alcohol use. Following these studies, national dissemination projects of screening, brief intervention (BI), and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for alcohol and drugs have been implemented on a widespread scale in multiple states despite little existing evidence for the impact of BI on drug use for non-treatment seekers. This article describes the design of a study testing the impact of SBIRT on individuals with drug problems, its contributions to the existing literature, and its potential to inform drug policy.

Methods/design

The study is a randomized controlled trial of an SBIRT intervention carried out in a primary care setting within a safety net system of care. Approximately 1,000 individuals presenting for scheduled medical care at one of seven designated primary care clinics who endorse problematic drug use when screened are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to BI versus enhanced care as usual (ECAU). Individuals in both groups are reassessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after baseline. Self-reported drug use and other psychosocial measures collected at each data point are supplemented by urine analysis and public health-related data from administrative databases.

Discussion

This study will contribute to the existing literature by providing evidence for the impact of BI on problem drug use based on a broad range of measures including self-reported drug use, urine analysis, admission to drug abuse treatment, and changes in utilization and costs of health care services, arrests, and death with the intent of informing policy and program planning for problem drug use at the local, state, and national levels.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00877331
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Testing the effects of brief intervention in primary care for problem drug use in a randomized controlled trial: rationale, design, and methods
Authors
Antoinette Krupski
Jutta M Joesch
Chris Dunn
Dennis Donovan
Kristin Bumgardner
Sarah Peregrine Lord
Richard Ries
Peter Roy-Byrne
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1940-0640
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1940-0640-7-27

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