Treating the intoxicated adolescent. A need for comprehensive services

Intoxicated adolescents seen in hospital emergency departments are frequently treated for their immediate complaints, but fail to have follow-up assessments for underlying alcohol/drug abuse and/or psychosocial problems. We undertook a prospective study of 171 acutely intoxicated adolescents (12 to 18 years of age) admitted to the emergency department of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison. A comparison group randomly selected from the community demonstrated that the emergency department patients were at a significantly higher risk for alcohol and polydrug abuse and psychological dependency. To adequately serve this potentially high-risk group, follow-up assessment must be done, including the gathering of in-depth information regarding legal, psychosocial, and alcohol/drug use status. This study indicates that the general hospital, with its 24-hour emergency department services and other resources, can play a vital role not only in the crisis management of intoxicated adolescents, but in their follow-up, assessment, and, when indicated, appropriate referral for treatment.