Symptom endorsement of alcohol and other substance abuse and dependence criteria among American-Indian adolescents in residential substance abuse treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study addresses the prevalence of DSM-IV substance abuse and dependence and the endorsement of specific symptoms of these disorders among American Indian adolescents admitted to a residential substance abuse treatment program.

METHOD

We interviewed 89 American Indian adolescents using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Substance Abuse Module (CIDI-SAM).

RESULTS

The most frequent diagnoses included marijuana dependence (51.7%), followed by alcohol abuse and dependence (33.7% each) and marijuana abuse (32.6%). Among the three substances with the highest prevalence of any use disorder (alcohol, marijuana and stimulants), the most frequently endorsed abuse criterion was Impaired Role Obligations. The two most frequently endorsed dependence criteria were Use Despite Substance-Related Psychological/Physical Problems and Unsuccessful Attempts to Quit/Cut down on substance use.

CONCLUSIONS

These American Indian adolescents presented to a residential substance abuse treatment program with serious, highly complex substance use disorders that represent substantial challenges to effective treatment.