Medication Treatment for Youth in Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment

Abstract

Objective: Residential is a common treatment setting for youth with high-severity substance use disorders (SUD). This study evaluated the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and medication for youth in residential SUD treatment. Methods: Youth in Massachusetts state licensed and funded SUD residential programs completed questionnaires assessing demographics, primary substance of use, and psychopathology symptoms (Youth Self Report [YSR]/Adult Self Report [ASR]). De-identified medication lists were provided by the programs. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample. Results: Among the 47 youth who participated, 51.1% were male, 72.3% white, 83% non-Hispanic, mean age 20.7 years. Opioids were the most common primary substance identified by youth (51.1%), and 75% had at least one clinically elevated subscale on the YSR/ASR. Most youth were prescribed at least one medication (89.4%) with a mean of 2.9 medications. Conclusion: Youth in SUD residential treatment frequently have clinically elevated psychiatric symptoms, and psychotropic medication was commonly prescribed.