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Relapse Contexts for Substance Abusing Adolescents with Comorbid Psychopathology
Kristen G Anderson1, Kevin C Frissell2, Sandra A Brown3
1Department of Psychology at Reed College, University of California, San Diego, CA.
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse
|August 22, 2015
Summary
Adolescent substance use relapse is linked to current mental health symptoms and life stressors, not initial diagnosis. These factors influence the contexts of returning to alcohol and drug use post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Psychology
- Substance Abuse Research
Background:
- Adolescents with substance use disorders often have comorbid Axis I psychopathology.
- Understanding relapse triggers in this population is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how diagnosis, developmental factors, and mental health symptoms relate to relapse contexts in adolescents.
- To identify predictors of returning to substance use in the 6 months after inpatient treatment.
Main Methods:
- Study included 103 adolescents (ages 12-17) with substance abuse and Axis I psychopathology.
- Data collected on diagnosis, life stress, peer substance use, and mental health symptoms.
- Relapse contexts were assessed in the 6 months following inpatient treatment.
Main Results:
- Current psychiatric symptoms and developmental factors predicted relapse contexts.
- Initial psychiatric diagnosis at treatment entry did not predict relapse contexts.
- Relapse contexts were similar to peers without psychopathology and adults with comorbid psychopathology.
Conclusions:
- Focusing on proximal symptoms and life stressors is key for preventing adolescent substance use relapse.
- Adolescents with comorbid psychopathology may share relapse patterns with other groups.
- Treatment should address current mental health and environmental factors to reduce return to substance use.
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