Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of substance use disorder among college youth receiving treatment for psychiatric illness and the impact of this comorbidity on educational disruption and functional outcomes. 113 college students treated at a hospital-based outpatient psychiatric program in Rhode Island from July 2012 to July 2013. Chart reviews yielded demographic information, psychiatric diagnoses, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores at initial evaluation, and occurrence of medical leave. Rates of medical leave and significant impairment (GAF ≤ 60) in participants with and without substance use disorders were analyzed with odds ratios adjusting for age and gender. Cannabis use (23.9%) and alcohol use (17.7%) disorders were significantly associated with lower GAF scores and medical leave for psychiatric illness. These associations were greater for cannabis use disorder. College students in psychiatric care could benefit from improved screening and treatment for both alcohol and cannabis use disorders.
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Acknowledgements
This publication was made possible with help from the Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research. The project described was supported by Grant Number P30AI042853 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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Whiteley, L., Warner, J.L., Ahuja, M. et al. The Impact of Comorbid Cannabis and Alcohol Use Disorders on the Functioning of College Students with Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Ment Health Addiction 16, 655–661 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9815-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-017-9815-2