Reason for medical hospitalization among adult alcohol and drug abusers

This study attempts to identify the associations between types of substance use and particular medical problems as causes of acute hospital admission on an inpatient substance abuse consultation service. Records of all consul tations performed from 1994 to 1998 were analyzed. A total of 4,526 complet e records were available. Cocaine (p <.01), heroin (p <.001), and injection drug (p <.001) users were more likely to be admitted to the hospital for i nfection. Both alcohol (p <.001) and marijuana (p <.001) users were more li kely to be hospitalized for trauma related injuries. Individuals that used alcohol were also more likely to be admitted for the treatment of gastroint estinal disorders (p <.001). Clinicians who treat patients with these diagn oses should have a high index of suspicion of co-morbid substance use disor ders. Effective treatment of substance use disorders can lead to a decrease in medical morbidity, improved outcomes for individual patients, and decre ased costs for the health care system.