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Systematic Reviews
Published in: Systematic Reviews 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Effectiveness of brief interventions as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances: a systematic review

Authors: Matthew M Young, Adrienne Stevens, James Galipeau, Tyler Pirie, Chantelle Garritty, Kavita Singh, Fatemeh Yazdi, Mohammed Golfam, Misty Pratt, Lucy Turner, Amy Porath-Waller, Cheryl Arratoon, Nancy Haley, Karen Leslie, Rhoda Reardon, Beth Sproule, Jeremy Grimshaw, David Moher

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of brief interventions (BIs) as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances.

Methods

Bibliographic databases (including MEDLINE, Embase, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO to April 2012) and gray literature sources were searched. We included randomized controlled trials that opportunistically screened adolescents or adults and then provided a one-to-one, verbal BI to those at risk of substance-use harm. Of interest was the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances (for example, drugs prohibited by international law), excluding alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. Interventions comprised four or fewer sessions and were compared with no/delayed intervention or provision of information only. Studies were assessed for bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results were synthesized narratively. Evidence was interpreted according to the GRADE framework.

Results

We identified 8,836 records. Of these, five studies met our inclusion criteria. Two studies compared BI with no BI, and three studies compared BI with information only. Studies varied in characteristics such as substances targeted, screening procedures, and BI administered. Outcomes were mostly reported by a single study, leading to limited or uncertain confidence in effect estimates.

Conclusions

Insufficient evidence exists as to whether BIs, as part of SBIRT, are effective or ineffective for reducing the use of, or harms associated with nonmedical use of, psychoactive substances when these interventions are administered to nontreatment-seeking, screen-detected populations. Updating this review with emerging evidence will be important.

Trial registration

CRD42012002414
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Effectiveness of brief interventions as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances: a systematic review
Authors
Matthew M Young
Adrienne Stevens
James Galipeau
Tyler Pirie
Chantelle Garritty
Kavita Singh
Fatemeh Yazdi
Mohammed Golfam
Misty Pratt
Lucy Turner
Amy Porath-Waller
Cheryl Arratoon
Nancy Haley
Karen Leslie
Rhoda Reardon
Beth Sproule
Jeremy Grimshaw
David Moher
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-3-50

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