Feasibility of SBIRT-PN

Substance misuse is a common problem among HIV+ individuals. Research suggests that a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Treatment (SBIRT) model can be effective in reducing substance misuse in the general older adult population; however these findings have not been verified in the more vulnerable HIV+ older adult population. The present study seeks to address the problem of substance misuse in older HIV+ adults by piloting a SBIRT model for older HIV+ adults in a in a primary care setting. Individual reductions in alcohol and drug use can have significant effects on public health and safety when observed over a large population at risk for substance use problems. With wider dissemination statewide, a relatively low-cost intervention such as SBIRT could offer demonstrated benefits in this population.