Characterizing Engagement with Web-Based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for Traumatic Stress and Substance Misuse After Interpersonal Violence

TL;DR

This study explores how a web-based health tool helps people who have experienced violence and substance misuse by showing high rates of trauma and readiness for change.

Contribution

The study identifies clinical targets for integrated PTSD-substance misuse interventions tailored to interpersonal violence survivors.

Findings

High rates of probable PTSD and trauma-related substance use were observed among respondents.

Respondents showed readiness to change substance use after receiving personalized feedback.

Many set goals for mental health services or reducing drinking, linking trauma recovery values to substance use reduction.

Abstract

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a widely used public health approach for delivering early intervention for substance misuse. SBIRT adaptations that incorporate content on interpersonal violence and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms may be warranted, as experiences of interpersonal violence are prevalent and associated with greater substance misuse; however, more research is needed to refine the delivery of PTSD-substance use content within the SBIRT model. This study examined clinical data collected as part of a web-based SBIRT developed for co-occurring substance misuse and PTSD symptoms after interpersonal violence to characterize the clinical symptoms and responses of adults presenting to agencies serving intimate partner and sexual violence survivors. The respondents (N = 52) completed self-report measures during the SBIRT tool to personalize the recommendations, as well as motivational enhancement exercises. Descriptive statistics were conducted. The results underscored high rates of probable PTSD, substance use, and trauma-related motives for substance use. The respondents were ready to change their substance use on average after receiving personalized feedback. Many expressed values related to trauma recovery and self-empowerment, perceived these values as useful for substance use reduction, and set goals to seek mental health services or reduce their drinking quantity. The findings point to several clinical targets for integrated PTSD-substance misuse interventions for interpersonal violence survivors.