The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released a new mobile app that is designed to provide important substance use information to Iowans. The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) app gives individuals and/or treatment professionals the ability to quickly access and self-screen for risky or hazardous alcohol or drug use, provide general health information related to use, and to connect you or a loved one with resources. Links to Iowa-specific and national substance abuse treatment providers/resources are also included.

IDPH SBIRT Project Director Monica Wilke-Brown says “One of the most important features we wanted in the app is the ability of any provider or individual to have access to ‘counseling at their fingertips’ with contact information to locate the nearest resources from anywhere in the state. This app provides both the list of all the licensed treatment providers in the state, as well as a map of the agencies that provide income-sensitive pricing to make treatment services accessible for all Iowans.”

The SBIRT Iowa app may be found on Google Play or in the iTunes App store by searching for ‘SBIRT Iowa.’ The SBIRT Iowa project is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.

The project makes it possible for Iowans to receive pre-screenings, screenings, brief interventions, brief treatments, and referrals to treatment. Studies show that people who received screening and brief intervention in an emergency department, hospital, or primary care office experienced 33 percent fewer non-fatal injuries, 37 percent fewer hospitalizations, 46 percent fewer arrests, and 50 percent fewer motor vehicle crashes.

Other positive effects include reductions in alcohol consumption, successful referral to and participation in substance abuse treatment programs, and reduction in repeat injuries and injury hospitalizations. For more information on SBIRT, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/sbirt/Project.aspx.