How diagnoses of comorbid disorders are associated with treatment entry, treatment completion and alcohol use severity among adolescents in a substance abuse treatment program

摘要

This study examined patterns of comorbid diagnoses and their relation to treatment entry, treatment completion and alcohol use severity in a sample of 494 adolescents involved in a substance abuse treatment program. Utilization of other treatment services was also examined.The results revealed no significant differences among groups with various patterns of comorbid disorders in terms of retention. However, there was a trend suggesting that participants diagnosed with externalizing disorders were less likely to enter into treatment. Adolescents who used alcohol more severely were more likely to read self-help books. Results indicated that adolescents diagnosed with internalizing disorders used alcohol more severely than participants diagnosed with mixed or externalizing disorders.Study results suggest a need for improving treatment entry for adolescents with externalizing disorders and merits further research of treatment outcomes for clients diagnosed with internalizing disorders since these groups differ systematically from other adolescents who participated in the program.