Clinical Characteristics of Youths With Substance use Problems and Implications for Residential Treatment

This retrospective study analyzed clinical data using the Child Severity of Psychiatric Illness, a rating scale for symptom severity. Study subjects were 564 children & adolescents in residential treatment & state custody in Florida & Illinois who had serious emotional or behavioural disturbances. Residents with co-occurring substance use disorders were significantly more likely than those with serious emotional or behavioural disturbances only to be at risk for suicide, elopement from residential placement, delinquent behaviours, & institutional discharge placement. (32 refs.)