[Substance Use, Resulting Disorders, and Collateral Mental Disorders Among Adolescents in a Special Outpatient Institutions for Addictions].

Substance Use, Resulting Disorders, and Collateral Mental Disorders Among Adolescents in a Special Outpatient Institutions for Addictions Abstract.

Objective

Only few clinics offer the outpatient treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) among adolescents. Therefore, only limited data describe substance use patterns, SUDs, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders characteristic of adolescents who present in such outpatient clinics specialized in the treatment of SUDs. Method: Via interview we collected data from n = 201 patients between 12 and 19 years concerning their substance use, SUDs, and current co-occurring psychiatric disorders. We created descriptive presentation of data regarding use patterns, SUDs, and co-occurring disorders divided by sex and current age.

Results

Tobacco (88 %) and cannabis (86 %) were the most frequently used substances. 67 % of all patients presented with more than one SUD, cannabis use disorder being the most prevalent one (84 %). 72 % presented with at least one co-occurring disorder, with conduct disorders (40 %), attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorders (21 %), and depressive disorders (18 %) being the most frequent ones.

Conclusions

Adolescent SUD patients often present with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Institutions for adolescent SUD treatment should also focus on treating co-occurring conduct disorders, depression, and attention deficit disorders.