Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden
Abstract Background Young people with substance use problems face a high risk of co-occurring mental health problems, something that may involve a more difficult life situation, social problems as well as worse treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyse self-reported mental health probl...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00282-6 |
| _version_ | 1818403444256407552 |
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| author | Torkel Richert Mats Anderberg Mikael Dahlberg |
| author_facet | Torkel Richert Mats Anderberg Mikael Dahlberg |
| author_sort | Torkel Richert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Young people with substance use problems face a high risk of co-occurring mental health problems, something that may involve a more difficult life situation, social problems as well as worse treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyse self-reported mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems in Sweden. We explore what types of mental health problems are more or less predominant, and whether there are significant differences between boys and girls. In addition, we analyse how various mental health problems covary with indicators of substance abuse severity. Methods The study is based on structured interviews with 1970 young people enrolled at outpatient clinics in 11 Swedish cities. The data was analysed through frequency- and averages-calculations, Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Self-reported mental health problems were common among the young people in the study. A relatively large percentage of the total group (34–54%) reported problems such as concentration difficulties, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression. At the same time, many of the young people did not report any symptoms and only a small group, about 20%, reported diagnosed mental health disorders. The results show substantial gender differences, with girls reporting significantly higher levels of mental health problems. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant associations between severity of drug use problems and anxiety, concentration difficulties, aggression, hallucinations and mental stress caused by experiences of trauma. Conclusions Treatment needs are diverse within this group of young people who use drugs. Since girls report higher levels of all mental health problems, and a larger burden of psychosocial risk factors than boys, they are likely to require more comprehensive treatment interventions. The link between more severe drug problems and mental health problems points to the importance of exploring this relationship in treatment. A multidisciplinary approach, in which co-occurring problems can be addressed simultaneously, may be the best treatment form for many young people with drug problems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T08:24:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-31860e7c62e44c15976c296df7880650 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1747-597X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T08:24:21Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-31860e7c62e44c15976c296df78806502022-12-21T23:09:41ZengBMCSubstance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy1747-597X2020-06-0115111010.1186/s13011-020-00282-6Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in SwedenTorkel Richert0Mats Anderberg1Mikael Dahlberg2Department of Social Work, Malmö UniversityDepartment of Pedagogy and Learning, Linnaeus UniversityDepartment of Pedagogy and Learning, Linnaeus UniversityAbstract Background Young people with substance use problems face a high risk of co-occurring mental health problems, something that may involve a more difficult life situation, social problems as well as worse treatment outcomes. The aim of this study is to analyse self-reported mental health problems among young people receiving outpatient treatment for substance use problems in Sweden. We explore what types of mental health problems are more or less predominant, and whether there are significant differences between boys and girls. In addition, we analyse how various mental health problems covary with indicators of substance abuse severity. Methods The study is based on structured interviews with 1970 young people enrolled at outpatient clinics in 11 Swedish cities. The data was analysed through frequency- and averages-calculations, Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Self-reported mental health problems were common among the young people in the study. A relatively large percentage of the total group (34–54%) reported problems such as concentration difficulties, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression. At the same time, many of the young people did not report any symptoms and only a small group, about 20%, reported diagnosed mental health disorders. The results show substantial gender differences, with girls reporting significantly higher levels of mental health problems. Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated significant associations between severity of drug use problems and anxiety, concentration difficulties, aggression, hallucinations and mental stress caused by experiences of trauma. Conclusions Treatment needs are diverse within this group of young people who use drugs. Since girls report higher levels of all mental health problems, and a larger burden of psychosocial risk factors than boys, they are likely to require more comprehensive treatment interventions. The link between more severe drug problems and mental health problems points to the importance of exploring this relationship in treatment. A multidisciplinary approach, in which co-occurring problems can be addressed simultaneously, may be the best treatment form for many young people with drug problems.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00282-6Young peopleAdolescentsMental health problemsDrug use problemsSubstance abuse treatmentGender differences |
| spellingShingle | Torkel Richert Mats Anderberg Mikael Dahlberg Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy Young people Adolescents Mental health problems Drug use problems Substance abuse treatment Gender differences |
| title | Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden |
| title_full | Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden |
| title_fullStr | Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden |
| title_short | Mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in Sweden |
| title_sort | mental health problems among young people in substance abuse treatment in sweden |
| topic | Young people Adolescents Mental health problems Drug use problems Substance abuse treatment Gender differences |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-020-00282-6 |
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