NCJ Number
198574
Journal
Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: Supplement 1 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 46-57
Date Published
December 2002
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article examines risk factor characteristics associated with adolescent substance abusers.
Abstract
Noting that adolescents who present for treatment of substance abuse problems constitute a small percentage of youth, the authors suggest that adolescents referred to treatment in four metropolitan areas of the United States through the Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT) study demonstrated similar risk factor characteristics. Presenting background information, the article discusses the use of cannabis as a primary substance of abuse as a matter of concern. After arguing that risk factors associated with adolescent substance abuse are many and varied, the authors describe the data collected from 600 adolescent participants, aged 12- to 18-years-old, of the CYT study. Using the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Measurement, which incorporates the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual IV (DSM-IV)’s criteria for substance use disorders, conduct disorders, and attention deficit disorders, the authors analyzed the 600 CYT clients admitted to outpatient substance treatment programs for problems related to cannabis use. The authors found that all CYT program participants reported at least one symptom of substance use disorders, with 46 percent meeting the DSM-IV’s criteria for substance dependency and 50 percent meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of substance abuse. The authors also found that only 20 percent of CYT participants perceived any need for help with problems associated with drug or alcohol use. The authors contend that those at risk adolescents with the most severe substance use disorders manifest greater problems in social functioning, more mental health problems, and more physical health problems. Tables, references