Characteristics of adolescents receiving outpatient care at the Institute for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychosocial condition and psychoactive substance use of male and female adolescents receiving care under the Intensive Ambulatory Program (PAI) of the Center for Comprehensive Drug Care for Children and Adolescents (Center for Children and Adolescents) and the follow-up service for the Patient Care Process (PAP) of the Institute for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA). The study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 on a sample of 40 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, based on application of the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI). The results showed a percentage of problem severity in all evaluated areas. The highest percentage of problem severity was in the areas of recreation and behavior. In terms of differences by sex, there was a greater problem severity in females in all areas except work adjustment. The two areas that contributed with significant predictive power for substance use were those of friends and health.