NCJ Number
175144
Journal
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 19-34
Date Published
1998
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined gender differences in a large sample of adolescents in a drug treatment program regarding drug and alcohol use, illegal activity, physical and sexual abuse, and mental health problems.
Abstract
Subjects (n=3,382) were adolescents involved in three modalities of drug abuse treatment specifically designed for adolescents. The study period was 1993-95. Subjects were primarily male (74 percent). They were recruited from a virtual census of adolescents presenting for treatment at 37 programs in 6 cities: Chicago, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, and Portland. Subjects were interviewed by a trained professional interviewer who was not attached to the treatment program. The interview consisted of a structured assessment battery, which was completed within 2 weeks of presenting for treatment. Most of the adolescents reported regular use of marijuana and alcohol; males had higher rates of illegal activity and involvement with the juvenile justice system; females reported more sexual abuse, and males reported more physical abuse. Males and females had equal rates of conduct disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The results suggest that, minimally, more specialized group therapy may be needed to address both the differences and similarities among male and female adolescent substance abusers. For gender-specific problems such as sexual abuse, female-only groups that address such issues as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, safety from further harm, and the use of psychotropic medication might serve as a vital component of substance abuse treatment for girls. 3 tables and 12 references