Supporting the Need for an Integrated System of Care for Youth with Co-occurring Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse Problems

• Published in: American journal of community psychology Vol. 49; no. 3-4; pp. 430 - 440
• Main Authors: Suarez, Liza M., Belcher, Harolyn M. E., Briggs, Ernestine C., Titus, Janet C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-06-2012; Blackwell Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Community and Environmental Psychology; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated - organization & administration; Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); Drug abuse; Female; Health care delivery; Health Psychology; Historical account; Humans; Integrated care; Interviews as Topic; Male; mental disorders; Mental Health; Mental health care; Morbidity; Odds Ratio; Original Article; Personality and Social Psychology; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychology; Public Health; Risk; schools; Self Report; Severity of Illness Index; Stress; Stress Disorders, Traumatic - physiopathology; Stress Disorders, Traumatic - therapy; Substance Abuse; Substance abuse treatment; Substance-Related Disorders - therapy; Teenagers; Trauma; Treatment; Vulnerability; Youth; Substance abuse; Integrated care; Adolescents; Trauma; Mental health
• ISSN: 0091-0562; 1573-2770
• DOI: 10.1007/s10464-011-9464-8

Adolescents are at high risk for violence exposure and initiation of drug use. Co-occurring substance use and trauma exposure are associated with increased risk of mental health disorders, school underachievement, and involvement with multiple systems of care. Coordination and integration of systems of care are of utmost importance for these vulnerable youth. This study delineates the negative sequelae and increased service utilization patterns of adolescents with a history of trauma, substance abuse, and co-occurring trauma and substance abuse to support the need for integrated mental health and substance abuse services for youth. Data from two national sources, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment demonstrate the increased clinical severity (measured by reports of emotional and behavioral problems), dysfunction, and service utilization patterns for youth with co-occurring trauma exposure and substance abuse. We conclude with recommendations for an integrated system of care that includes trauma-informed mental health treatment and substance abuse services aimed at reducing the morbidity and relapse probability of this high-risk group.