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Department promoting early substance use screening process

The Wyoming Department of Health is strengthening its promotion of early screening for substance use-related health issues by reimbursing Wyoming healthcare providers who participate through its EqualityCare (Medicaid) program.

Known as Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), the simple screening process involves just a few questions. Trained interviewers work with individuals to determine their risk level based upon behaviour patterns. A brief educational intervention can significantly reduce or even end the person's use of harmful substances. For those whose screening indicates a severe problem or dependence, the next step is referral to Wyoming community mental health and substance abuse centres.

"Many people don't realise how their use of legal and illegal substances may impact their health," said Rodger McDaniel, Wyoming Department of Health deputy director for mental health and substance abuse services. "The goal is to educate before addiction sets in."

Research has shown that large numbers of individuals at risk of developing serious alcohol or other drug problems may be identified through primary care screening.

"We want to involve Wyoming healthcare providers because screening in a medical setting can be particularly successful. The focus is on a person's health rather than appearing as a judgment on behaviours, and the patient controls how much information they want to receive," McDaniel said.

McDaniel expects SBIRT to eventually save the state money. "When you are able to intervene early with nondependent users before dependence has taken hold, you can decrease expensive substance abuse treatment costs, reduce hospital stays and see fewer emergency department visits."

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