Psychoactive Substance Dependence Among Trauma Center Patients
- 27 May 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in JAMA
- Vol. 267 (20) , 2756-2759
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1992.03480200064025
Abstract
Introduction. —The practice of assessing only trauma patients with elevated blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) or positive drug screens for psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs) was evaluated. Methods. —Twenty-four BAC-negative (BAC-) (BAC, 0) and 21 BAC-positive (BAC+) (BAC, ≥22 mmol/L or 100 mg/dL; mean, 41 mmol/L; range, 24.3 to 79 mmol/L) adult trauma patients were evaluated for alcoholism and other PSUDs using the Structured Clinical Interview (SCI) from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition (DSM-III-R). Approximately half were vehicular crash victims and 78% were men. Results. —A total of 64 PSUDs were diagnosed in 31 (68.9%) of the 45 patients; all but one was for dependence (vs abuse). Of the BAC+patients, 14 (66.7%) metDSM-III-Rcriteria for alcohol dependence, 11 (78.6%) of whom also had other PSUDs not related to alcohol. Two other BAC+patients had nonalcohol PSUDs. Of the BAC-patients, 11 (45.8%) had alcohol dependence, six (54.5%) of whom also had nonalcohol PSUDs. Another four BAC-patients had nonalcohol PSUDs. Overall, 76.2% of the BAC+patients and 62.5% of the BAC patients had a diagnosis of psychoactive substance dependence. Conclusion. —All patients admitted to trauma centers should be assessed for alcoholism and other PSUDs. (JAMA. 1992;267:2756-2759)Keywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: