Inhalant Use, Abuse, and Dependence Among Adolescent Patients: Commonly Comorbid Problems

• NCJ Number: 207016
• Journal: Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Volume: 43 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 1080-1088
• Author(s): Joseph T. Sakai M.D.; Shannon K. Hall B.A.; Susan K. Mikulich-Gilbertson Ph.D.; Thomas J. Crowley M.D.
• Date Published: September 2004
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA 09842; DA 11015; DA12845; 5T32MH15442
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared comorbidity among adolescents with inhalant use disorders, adolescents who reported using inhalants without having inhalant-use disorder, and adolescent patients from a drug and alcohol treatment program that targeted adolescents.

Abstract

The study sample was drawn from a university residential and day treatment program that evaluated and treated adolescents 13 to 19 years old who manifested substance and behavior problems. Shortly after admission, patients completed structured diagnostic interviews. A total of 847 patients completed the study instruments. The study obtained information on all patients admitted to the treatment program from 1995 through 2002. Adolescents completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Substance Abuse Module, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, and the Colorado Adolescent Rearing Inventory. The three groups of adolescents were compared on noninhalant substance use disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, major depression, previous suicide attempts, and physical/sexual abuse and neglect. The study found that adolescents with inhalant abuse or dependence (n=28) were significantly more likely to meet lifetime criteria for abuse or dependence on alcohol, hallucinogens, nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines than other adolescent patients who reported never using inhalants. They were also more likely to have had major depression and to have attempted suicide. Adolescents with inhalant abuse or dependence did not differ significantly on any measure compared with adolescents who reported using inhalants without an inhalant use disorder. Based on these findings, the authors recommend that adolescent patients with a history of inhalant use, abuse, or dependence who enter treatment should be carefully screened for noninhalant substance use disorders, major depression, suicidality, and abuse and neglect. 4 tables and 25 references