Title:Adolescent Substance Use, and Related Emergency Room Visits, and Continuum of Care
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Author(s): Oluwadunni Adegbite*, Andrew Enegela, Crystal Obiozor and Edore Onigu-Otite
Affiliation:
- Independent Researcher, Lennox Flats Dr., Columbus, OH, USA
Keywords:
Adolescence, substance use, emergency department, SBIRT, aftercare programs, psychoactive substances.
Abstract: Adolescence is a unique developmental period marked by
biophysiological changes and psychosocial exploration. Risk-taking behaviors,
including experimentation with psychoactive substances, are common during this
period. Emergency room (ER) visits for adverse events related to adolescent
substance use have increased over the last two decades. Without a continuum of care
from the ER, significant opportunities to intervene are missed. The narrative review
article aims to provide an overview of substance use during Adolescence in the
United States, highlight related ER visits, and discuss extending care beyond the ER.
A literature review was conducted to reveal historical and recent studies related to
adolescent substance use trends, morbidity, and mortality patterns, as well as the
much-needed continuum of care after the ER. Our approach prioritized capturing
diverse perspectives and significant studies relevant to these themes, aiming for a
thorough discussion without strict adherence to systematic review methodologies.
The selection of studies involved a comprehensive search across multiple databases,
including PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant academic journals. Search terms
were tailored to capture studies addressing adolescent substance abuse, ER visitation,
and aftercare. Studies were screened based on title, abstract, and full-text review,
with a focus on relevance and significance to the review's objectives. The strategy for
this narrative review facilitated a detailed exploration of the selected themes while
also allowing for flexibility in study selection and interpretation. National studies
indicate an overall decline in the proportions of adolescents using substances
compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. However, morbidity and mortality patterns have
not mirrored this decline. Various factors, including gender, location, and specific
mental health disorders, are associated with adolescent substance use presentations.
Acute care providers in emergency settings, employing protocols like SBIRT, can
significantly impact outcomes by facilitating appropriate screening and referral to
aftercare treatment programs. Identification of barriers to care, such as stigma and
social determinants of health, is important in formulating tailored interventions.
While acute care provides an opportunity to intervene and initiate treatment, a
continuum of care is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality patterns among
adolescents with substance use.
