Substance Abuse Treatment of American Indian Adolescents: Comorbid Symptomatology, Gender Differences, and Treatment Patterns

This study describes the patient population & use of mental health treatment at a residential substance abuse treatment program for American Indian & Alaska Native adolescents. Results indicated that 68% of patients screened positive for at least one psychiatric symptom type; females were more likely to report substance abuse & receive mental health treatment than males; there was no significant relationship between measures of psychopathology & subsequent receipt of mental health treatment. Implications for suicide prevention & treatment of illnesses are discussed. (42 refs) (SC)