Clinical correlates of alcohol abuse among adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Israel

Background: Recent epidemiological studies have reported a world-wide increase in the rates of alcohol use among adolescents. Research has shown a strong link between alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorders. This study explored the clinical and demographic correlates of adolescents with a history of alcohol abuse (AA) compared to adolescents with no history of alcohol abuse (NAA) among a group of adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Israel. Method: Two hundred and thirty-eight subjects were screened, all were patients consecutively admitted to an adolescent inpatient unit at a university-affiliated mental health center in Israel during a 4-year period Result: Patients in the AA group were more prone to have a history of suicide attempts and self-injury compared to patients in the NAA group. Prevalence of attentiondeficit disruptive behavior disorders was more common in the AA group, and these patients were more prone to have a history of criminal activity and drug use. Median length of hospitalization was greater in the NAA group. Limitations: Limitations concerning attribution of causality due to the cross-sectional nature of this study. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of criminal behavior, selfinjury and suicide attempts associated with alcohol abuse may be related to higher levels of impulsivity, indicated by higher prevalence of attention-deficit disruptive behavior disorders. Alcohol-related disorders should be carefully screened and addressed in adolescent psychiatric units and in consequent ambulatory treatment settings.