The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents

3.11.4 Behavioral Problems and Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana

Among adolescents the severity of behavioral problems is associated with increased likelihood of using illicit drugs (Table 3.6). Past-month use of substances such as cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or abused prescription drugs was reported by approximately 2 percent of adolescents with low behavioral problem scores, by 4 percent of those with intermediate problem scores, and by 13 percent of those with significant behavioral problems. Adolescents with more serious behavioral problems were nearly seven times more likely to use these illicit substances than were those with low problem scores.

Within specific age groups, past-month use of illicit drugs increased with the severity of behavioral problems (Table 3.6). Adolescents with serious behavioral problems were significantly more likely to use illicit drugs than were those with less serious behavioral problems. This pattern was observed among both males and females for very young adolescents aged 12 to 13, for adolescents aged 14 to 15, and for older adolescents aged 16 to 17. For very young adolescents aged 12 to 13 with serious behavioral problems, the rate of illicit drug use other than marijuana was 7 percent for males and 10 percent for females. The rate of illicit drug use was highest for older adolescents aged 16 to 17 with serious behavioral problems: 17 percent for males and 15 percent for females.

3.11.5 Behavioral Problems and Dependence on Illicit Drugs

The severity of behavioral problems is associated with increased likelihood of illicit drug dependence among adolescents (Table 3.6a). Dependence on substances such as cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin or abused prescription drugs was reported by nearly 10 percent of adolescents with serious behavioral problems, by 3 percent of those with intermediate behavioral problems, and by 1 percent of those with low levels of behavioral problems. Adolescents with serious behavioral problems were nearly nine times as likely as those with low behavioral problem scores to report illicit drug dependence. For all age and gender groups except males aged 12 to 13, adolescents with serious behavioral problems were more likely to be dependent on illicit drugs.

3.11.6 Behavioral Problems and Need for Illicit Drug Treatment

The severity of behavioral problems is associated with increased likelihood of needing treatment for illicit drug abuse (Table 3.6b). Adolescents with serious behavioral problems were nearly nine times as likely as those with low behavioral problem scores to need illicit drug treatment. Nearly
 
14 percent of adolescents with serious behavioral problems reported needing treatment for abuse of substances such as cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin or prescription drugs. Need for illicit drug treatment was reported by 4 percent of adolescents with intermediate scores and by less than

2 percent of those with low behavioral problem scores. When examined within specific age and gender groups, need for illicit drug abuse treatment was greater among those with serious behavioral problems.

This page was last updated on June 16, 2008.

SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.