Multiple substance use disorders in juvenile detainees

Gary M. McClelland, Katherine S. Elkington, Linda A. Teplin*, Karen M. Abram

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the 6-month prevalence of multiple substance use disorders (SUDs) among juvenile detainees by demographic subgroups (sex, race/ethnicity, age). Method: Participants were a randomly selected sample of 1,829 African American, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic detainees (1,172 males, 657 females, aged 10 to 18). Patterns and prevalence of DSM-III-Rmultiple SUDs were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version 2.3. The authors used two-tailed F and t tests with an α of .05 to examine combinations of SUDs by sex, race/ethnicity, and age. Results: Nearly half of the detainees had one or more SUDs; more than 21% had two or more SUDs. The most prevalent combination of SUDs was alcohol and marijuana use disorders (17.25% females, 19.42% males). Among detainees with any SUD, almost half had multiple SUDs. Among detainees with alcohol use disorder, more than 80% also had one or more drug use disorders. Among detainees with a drug use disorder, approximately 50% also had an alcohol use disorder. Conclusions: Among detained youths with any SUD, multiple SUDs are the rule, not the exception. Substance abuse treatments need to target detainees with multiple SUDs who, upon release, return to communities where services are often unavailable. Clinicians can help ensure continuity of care by working with juvenile courts and detention centers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1215-1224
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume43
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Funding

Keywords

  • Juvenile detainees
  • Substance use disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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