Dual diagnosis and successful participation of adolescents in substance abuse treatment

A retrospective record review of one year of admissions to a residential ad olescent substance abuse treatment program (N = 91) examined the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders and factors associated with successful t reatment participation. Psychiatric and substance use disorders (SUD) were diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria. Successful participation was based on multipl e factors assessed by the treatment team. Consistent with prior studies, th ere was considerable comorbidity (63.7%) with both disruptive (Attention De ficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD], 11%; Conduct Disorder [CD], 24%) and o ther disorders (depression, 24%; adjustment disorder, 7.7%; bipolar disorde r, 3.3%). Male gender was negatively associated (OR = 0.23, P = 0.019) with successful participation in univariate analyses, as was ADHD (OR = 0.18, P = 0.007). CD (OR = 0.37, P = 0.053) approached significance. Multivariate analysis reveals ADHD was significant while having CD and being mate approa ched significance. Psychotropic medication use and other diagnoses were not associated with successful participation. It is concluded that further res earch on the relationship between ADHD, CD, and substance abuse treatment i s needed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.