Abstract
The aim of the present study was to provide a profile of young people attending alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Data were gathered from a clinical file search of 184 randomly selected young people aged 13-19 years who had attended one of eight youth AOD treatment services in New Zealand during 2003 or 2004. These services represented eight of the 11 youth-specific AOD services available to youth in New Zealand. Young people who attend youth-specific AOD services in New Zealand present with a range of complex needs including substance use and mental health issues, criminality, family conflict and disengagement from school. A total of 62.0% were male, 56.4% had criminal convictions, 40.6% had spent some time in Child, Youth and Family Services care and 53.8% were reported to have a coexisting substance use and mental health disorder. Low rates of reporting of substance use and mental health diagnoses in treatment files suggest that substance use and mental health disorders among this population are likely to be higher than those reported. This paper provides a unique profile of young people attending youth-specific AOD treatments in New Zealand. Such information is useful in informing treatment planning and funding and ensuring that service development occurs to specifically meet the complex needs of this patient group.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.