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Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 4/2007

01-06-2007 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

Prevalence of use, abuse and dependence on legal and illegal psychotropic substances in an adolescent inpatient psychiatric population

Authors: Dr. Oliver Niethammer, Prof. Dr. Reiner Frank

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 4/2007

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Abstract

Objective

To examine the prevalence of use, abuse, and dependence on legal and illegal psychotropic substances in an adolescent in-patient psychiatric population in relation to age and gender.

Methods

Participants were all consecutive admissions (patients aged from 14 to 17) to the adolescent psychiatric in-patient unit. Of the 86 patients who met all the criteria for taking part in the study 70 were interviewed, giving a response rate of 81%. Prevalence of use and of substance use disorders were assessed through structured diagnostic interviews (M-CIDI), conducted from March 2000 through July 2000.

Results

We found high prevalence of use and of the diagnosis of legal and illegal psychotropic substances. Around 76% reported a regular use of tobacco, 44% regular alcohol use, and 40% regular use of illegal substances. Diagnosis (abuse or dependence) was found in 50% of cases for nicotine, 29% for alcohol, and 26% for illegal substances.

Conclusions

The adolescent in-patient psychiatric population is at high risk of use, abuse, and dependence on legal and illegal psychotropic substances. It is important to diagnose these disorders (anamnesis, screening tools) and to install preventive and therapeutic programs in clinical therapeutic settings.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of use, abuse and dependence on legal and illegal psychotropic substances in an adolescent inpatient psychiatric population
Authors
Dr. Oliver Niethammer
Prof. Dr. Reiner Frank
Publication date
01-06-2007
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 4/2007
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0597-5

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