Polysubstance use in young people accessing residential and day treatment services for substance use: substance use profiles, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment completion

Original research
by
Mefodeva, Valeriya et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Australia

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Different combinations of substance use and mental health problems require different treatment approaches. Our study aimed to (i) identify the shared substance use classes among young people at treatment admission, (ii) determine which mental health symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and service types were associated with the identified substance use classes, and (iii) prospectively determine which substance use classes and service types were more likely to complete treatment.

Findings/Key points

There appear to be high levels of polysubstance use among young people entering substance use treatment in Australia. Wide ranging polysubstance users were more likely to report psychotic symptoms and be enrolled in a residential program than primary amphetamine users and alcohol and cannabis users.

Design/methods

Cross-sectional and prospective study using service and outcome data.

Keywords

Youth
Illegal drugs
Mental health
Substitution/OAT
Transitions in care/treatment
About PWUD