Pediatric SBIRT: understanding the magnitude of the problem.

Screening and brief intervention with referral to treatment (SBIRT) have recently been instituted for the adult and older adolescent trauma populations. However, questions persist regarding prevalence in the younger than 18-year population, youngest age for providing alcohol and drug screening, and whether an opportunity is being missed for this population. This article provides a review of literature for the 12-to 17-year-old population regarding alcohol and drug use, adolescent brain maturation, specific adolescent risk considerations, and results of a national survey regarding the frequency and methodology of providing SBIRT for the 12-to 17-year-old population.