DIAGNOSIS AND HOSPITAL READMISSION RATES OF FEMALE VETERANS WITH SUBSTANCE RELATED DISORDERS

Objectives: The study examined the prevalence of substance use, psychi atric, and medical disorders in female veterans discharged from VA hos pitals. Methods: The VA discharge abstract database was used to identi fy women discharged in fiscal year 1991 who received a diagnosis of su bstance abuse or dependence or substance-induced psychosis (N=1,698). They were compared with female veterans who did not receive a substanc e-related diagnosis (N=12,037). Results: Alcohol and cocaine use disor ders were the most prevalent substance use disorders. Women with subst ance use disorders were more frequently diagnosed as having personalit y disorders, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder than women without substance use disorders. Skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases , infectious and parasitic diseases, and digestive diseases were more prevalent among women with substance use disorders than among women in the same age group who did not have substance use disorders. Approxim ately 44 percent of women with substance use disorders who were discha rged during the first six months of fiscal year 1991 were rehospitaliz ed within that year. Conclusions: Substance use disorders and associat ed comorbidities are endemic among women treated in VA hospitals. Addi tional studies examining characteristics of indigent women with substa nce use disorders are needed