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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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Open Access 13-03-2023 | Research

Understanding the complexity, patterns, and correlates of alcohol and other substance use among young people seeking help for mental ill-health

Authors: Caroline X. Gao, Kate M. Filia, Gillinder Bedi, Jana M. Menssink, Ellie Brown, Debra J. Rickwood, Alexandra G. Parker, Sarah E. Hetrick, Helen Herrman, Ian Hickie, Nic Telford, Patrick D. McGorry, Sue M. Cotton

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 10/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Use of alcohol and other substances is a multifaceted issue impacting young people across multiple life domains. This paper aims to elucidate patterns of substance use and associated demographic and clinical factors among young people seeking treatment for their mental health.

Methods

Young people (12–25 years old) were recruited from five youth-specific primary mental health (“headspace”) services in Australia. Self-reported substance use and harms in the past 3 months were measured using WHO-ASSIST. Network analyses were conducted to evaluate interrelationships between use and harms associated with different substances. Subgroups were then identified based on whether participants reported using high centrality substances, and associated demographic and clinical factors were assessed with multinomial logistic regression.

Results

1107 youth participated. 70% reported use of at least one substance in the past 3 months, with around 30% of those reporting related health, social, legal or financial problems. Network analysis highlighted substantial interconnections between use and harm indicators for all substances, with amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and cannabis being high central substances. Higher levels of substance use and harms were reported in subgroups with ATS or cannabis use and different risk factors were associated with these subgroups.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the importance of screening for substance use in youth primary mental healthcare settings, offering a key opportunity for early intervention. Clinicians should be aware of the inner connections of use and harms of different drugs and the role of cannabis and amphetamine use as a marker for more substance use profiles.

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Title: Understanding the complexity, patterns, and correlates of alcohol and other substance use among young people seeking help for mental ill-health
Authors: Caroline X. Gao
Kate M. Filia
Gillinder Bedi
Jana M. Menssink
Ellie Brown
Debra J. Rickwood
Alexandra G. Parker
Sarah E. Hetrick
Helen Herrman
Ian Hickie
Nic Telford
Patrick D. McGorry
Sue M. Cotton
Publication date: 13-03-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 10/2023
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-023-02444-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Understanding the complexity, patterns, and correlates of alcohol and other substance use among young people seeking help for mental ill-health

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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