Citation

Spirito A, Jelalian E, Rasile D, Rohrbeck C, Vinnick L. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 2000; 26(1): 113-123.

Affiliation

Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10718167

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of adolescent substance use at the time of injury and its relation to risk-taking behavior. METHOD: A total of 643 male and 782 female 9th through 12th grade students at three high schools anonymously completed surveys on any injuries that had occurred in the prior 6 months associated with substance use and risk-taking behavior. RESULTS: Males reported a higher incidence of injuries related to alcohol or other drugs than females (17.3% vs. 13%). The 17 year olds reported more injuries related to substance use than 14 or 15 year olds (20.2% vs. 14.4% and 15%, respectively). A logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of a substance use-related injury increased approximately sixfold when adolescents reported engaging in risk-taking behavior. CONCLUSION: A significant portion of adolescents (approximately 15%) reported injuries associated with substance use. Adolescents who reported a history of risk-taking behaviors were much more likely to report substance use-related injuries.

Language: en