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Multiple Hospital Presentations by Adolescents Who Use Alcohol or Other Drugs

NCJ Number
198636
Journal
Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: 10 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 1269-1275
Author(s)
Robert J. Tait; Gary K. Hulse; Suzanne I. Robertson; Peter Sprivulis
Date Published
November 2002
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article examined the “all cause” and “drug related” hospital presentations for adolescents in Australia with a previously identified drug related hospital visit.
Abstract
The authors explain that alcohol and drug abuse is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity for adolescents in Australia. The goals of this study were threefold. First, the authors wanted to investigate the “all cause” hospital presentations during a 12 month period for adolescents who had previously been hospitalized for a drug or alcohol related matter. Second, they wanted to examine the relationship between 12 month hospital visits and the type of substance used, the number of drugs used, the type of drug used, and the differences in drug related hospital presentations for males and females. Finally, the authors examined whether multiple hospital presentations were related to an index presentation. The authors examined data from the medical records of 152 adolescents 13- to 19-years-old, who were identified during a previous 4 week study. Findings revealed that over half of the adolescents had no additional hospital presentations, while 7 percent had follow-up treatment for their index event. The drug of choice for these adolescents was primarily alcohol. However, for the adolescents who had multiple hospital presentations, drug use centered on heroin or prescription drugs. The authors found no gender difference in either “all cause” presentation or drug related hospitalizations. In conclusion, the authors note that while alcohol users comprised the largest group of index presentations, they made up only a few of the presentations over the 12 month period. Those ingesting multiple types of drugs had many more hospital presentations and thus may benefit from follow-up drug and alcohol treatment services. Table, references

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