<p class="first" id="P1">Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment
(SBIRT) has been widely implemented
as a method to address substance use disorders in general medical settings, and some
evidence suggests that its use is associated with decreased societal costs. In this
paper, we investigated the economic impact of SBIRT using data from Screening, Motivational
Assessment, Referral, and Treatment in Emergency Departments (SMART-ED), a multisite,
randomized controlled trial. Utilizing self-reported information on medical status,
health services utilization, employment, and crime, we conduct a benefit-cost analysis.
Findings indicate that neither of the SMART-ED interventions resulted in any significant
changes to the main economic outcomes, nor had any significant impact on total economic
benefit. Thus, while SBIRT interventions for substance abuse in Emergency Departments
may be appealing from a clinical perspective, evidence from this economic study suggests
resources could be better utilized supporting other health interventions.
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