Lead: Alcohol use screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment cascade of care in the USA: Variation by alcohol use and socio-demographic characteristicsLead: Alcohol use screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment cascade of care in the USA: Variation by alcohol use and socio-demographic characteristics
This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
Research summaries from ASAM highlight major gaps in alcohol screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment, alongside new data on overdose trends and addiction care. The episode shares evidence on medications for alcohol use disorder, harms linked to drug use, and system-level changes that may shape future recovery support.
8:05•3 Nov 2026
SBIRT Gaps, AUD Medications and Fresh Research in Addiction Care
Episode Overview
- A large US study found that while 16% reported heavy drinking and 11% met criteria for alcohol use disorder, only a small proportion were offered brief intervention or referred to treatment.
- Older adults, non-white individuals and women were less likely to be screened, receive brief intervention or be referred, pointing to important inequities in care.
- National EMS data showed declines in non-fatal overdoses and naloxone use after May 2023, suggesting fewer overdose events rather than just better rescue responses.
- Two-thirds of surveyed adults were unaware of medications for alcohol use disorder, and many expressed concerns about safety or preferred non-medication approaches.
- Research across multiple studies highlighted the importance of early monitoring, structured treatment access and attention to social and digital influences on substance use.
“The authors note these data highlight the need to better implement SBIRT, addressing gaps and differences in access to the care cascade.”
Curious about how others manage their sobriety journey while health systems try to catch up? This newsy round-up from ASAM’s "This Week in Addiction Medicine" gives a brisk tour of the latest research on alcohol and other drugs, aimed squarely at clinicians, policy wonks and anyone who likes their recovery chat backed by hard data. Hosted by Zach Caruso, the lead story looks at how well alcohol screening and treatment really work in everyday healthcare.
Using a large dataset, researchers checked how often people are screened for heavy drinking, offered a brief conversation about their use, and referred to treatment. You’ll hear that 16% of people reported heavy drinking in the past year and 11% met criteria for alcohol use disorder, yet “only 7% were referred to treatment, while 8% reported treatment in the last year.” The line that lands hardest?
“These data highlight the need to better implement SBIRT, addressing gaps and differences in access to the care cascade.” From there, the episode moves quickly through studies on non-fatal overdoses and naloxone, public awareness of medication for alcohol use disorder, acute kidney injury after overdoses, adolescent cannabis use in Germany, jail-based opioid treatment, the link between poor sleep and opioid craving, and brain changes linked to different substances.
It’s fast-paced, factual and clearly aimed at those who want to keep up with evidence, whether they’re working in treatment, shaping policy, or trying to understand the bigger system that affects their own or a loved one’s recovery. If you like your recovery information straight from the research lab, with just enough context to make it usable in real life, this one’s worth your time.
Which of these findings makes you rethink how care for alcohol and other drug use should look?
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