ALCOHOL AND DRUG-USE AMONG YOUNG PERSONS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

The pre- and postinjury patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use of 87 persons with traumatic brain injury ages 16 to 20 were examined. Foll ow-up data were collected at two time intervals averaging 8 and 28 mon ths postinjury. A comparison with large-sample studies revealed that p atients had preinjury drinking patterns similar to those in the genera l population. A review of data provided evidence of a decline in alcoh ol use at initial follow-up; however, preinjury and second follow-up a lcohol use patterns were similar. Analyses suggested that drinking qua ntity and frequency increased over time, perhaps eventually returning to postinjury levels. A review of the literature and the findings of t he present investigation indicate that men and persons with a history of preinjury heavy drinking are at greatest risk for long-term alcohol abuse postinjury. Postinjury illicit drug use rates remained relative ly low, falling below 10% at both follow-up intervals. Among persons t aking prescribed medications, 17% reported moderate or heavy drinking at second follow-up.