SBIRT administered by mental health counselors for hospitalized adults with substance misuse or disordered use: Evaluating hospital utilization and costs

•SBIRT in medical settings brings help directly to people with problem substance use.•We showed inpatient SBIRT by counselors may reduce healthcare use and costs.•The reductions were significant for patients with alcohol misuse and disordered use.•Our findings support transforming SBIRT practice and investing in bedside SBIRT.