Demographic and clinical features of adolescents and young adults with alcohol-related disorders admitted to the Psychiatric Emergency Room

Abstract

To determine the incidence of alcohol related problems (ARP) among adolescents admitted to the Psychiatric Emergency Room (PER) and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics. The study was a retrospective review of admissions to the PER, where we reviewed the psychiatric records of all of the 14-30 year olds admitted to the PER during the three-month period between April 1st, 2003 and June 30th, 2003. Demographic and clinical data of subjects with and without ARP were compared. During the three-month time period, 108 patients between the age of 14 and 30 were admitted to the PER. 14 (13.2%) of these had ARP, and ARP tended to occur more in males (chi2 = 3.81; df=l; p = 0.05). The number of psychiatric diagnoses among those who had ARP was significantly higher than among those who did not have ARP (t = -3.12; df=104; p = 0.002). ARP were found to be associated with personality disorder and misuse of other substances. 37.5% of those adolescents and young adults with ARP had a personality disorder, while 13% of those without ARP had a personality disorder (chi2 = 4.64; df=1; p = 0.03). 50% of those with ARP consumed (an)other substance/s, while 12.0% of those patients without ARP consumed (an)other substance/s (chi2 = l2.48; df=1; p < 0.001). Of the female adolescents and young adults with ARP, 50% were admitted to PER after an episode of self-poisoning. ARP in young adults admitted to the PER for acute psychiatric care are associated with greater psychiatric comorbidity, especially personality disorders. In females, ARP may be associated with an increased risk for self-poisoning. Adequate detection of ARP in the PER could promote earlier specific interventions specifically tailored to ARP among adolescents and young adults.