Abstract
Objectives: Substance abuse in adolescents is a major public health problem, which is particularly a concern in the state of New York. According to the National Survey on Drug use and Health, New York was ranked as one of the top 10 states for illicit drug dependence among teenagers and young adults. The survey also reported that 9.82 percent of New York residents used illicit drugs, which was higher than the national average of 8.82 percent. It is an issue of growing concern, which is reflected by the increasing number of drug-related hospitalizations and high prevalence among adolescents. The aim of our study was to analyze the trends in prevalence of substance use and try to understand the predisposing and perpetuating factors associated with the adolescent population in South Bronx. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of adolescents aged 12-18 years admitted to an adolescent inpatient psychiatry unit at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in the years 2011 and 2015. The data were acquired from the hospital electronic medical record database. The patient's charts were reviewed for age, level of education, psychiatric diagnosis, urine toxicology, type of drug use, family history of substance abuse, and treatment strategies. Results: Upon analysis of data, no statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of illicit substance use in patients admitted to adolescent inpatient psychiatry unit in the years 2011 and 2015 (25 percent in 2011 and 21 percent in 2015). However, there was a positive correlation between urine toxicology results and age. Furthermore, the urine toxicology results were correlated positively with the longer length of stay but not with gender, seclusion/restraint incidence, suicide risk, and 30- day readmission. Conclusions: Our study results emphasize that even though the prevalence of substance use has not increased over past 5 years, it does significantly affect the length of hospitalization. It further supports the significance of studying substance use in adolescent population, considering the short- and long-term harmful effects and improvement in prognosis with timely and appropriate intervention.