Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
05:12
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Adolescent substance abuse and psychiatric comorbidities
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29417, USA. deasd@musc.edu
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|September 12, 2006
Summary
Adolescent alcohol use disorders are common and linked to psychiatric issues. Current diagnostic criteria may miss at-risk youth, termed "diagnostic orphans," hindering proper diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Medicine
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) significantly impact adolescents, often co-occurring with psychiatric disorders.
- Alcohol is the most frequently abused substance among adolescents, with high rates of use and binge drinking.
- Existing diagnostic criteria may not adequately capture developing SUDs in adolescents, leading to underdiagnosis.
Observation:
- Adolescents may exhibit signs of substance dependence without meeting full criteria for abuse or dependence.
- A subset of at-risk adolescents, termed 'diagnostic orphans,' meet few criteria and are missed by current diagnostic systems (DSM-IV-TR).
- Adolescents with SUDs show higher rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders and report more trauma and abuse histories.
Findings:
- Psychiatric disorders in adolescents frequently precede SUD development.
- SUDs can exacerbate pre-existing psychiatric conditions in adolescents.
- Diagnostic gaps exist for adolescent alcohol use disorders, particularly for those with subthreshold symptoms.
Implications:
- Improved diagnostic tools are needed to identify at-risk adolescents with SUDs.
- Early intervention for adolescent SUDs is crucial, especially given links to psychiatric comorbidities and trauma.
- Understanding the interplay between psychiatric disorders and SUDs in adolescents is vital for effective treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:17Drug Dependence
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
01:30Stress and Mental Health
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...