Factors associated with adolescent utilization of alcohol treatment services

OBJECTIVE: This study examined factors associated with adolescents' use of alcohol treatment services. METHOD: Data on adolescents (aged 12-17) from the 1994 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA, N = 4,698), a large representative sample of the U.S. population, were used in this study. Information obtained from the survey included adolescent alcohol use, drinking patterns, alcohol abuse/dependent problems, and service use for alcohol-related problems. In addition, socio- demographics, health insurance, mental and behavioral problems, and other drug use were also included in the analysis. RESULTS: The findings indicate that many adolescents with alcohol problems did not receive treatment. White adolescents were more likely to receive alcohol treatment services than nonwhites. Among alcohol-related problems, alcohol causing problems at home, school, or other settings predicted entry into alcohol treatment. Drug use and poor health status were also associated with receiving alcohol treatment services. CONCLUSIONS: This study calls for an improved service delivery system to meet service needs of adolescents with alcohol-related problems, especially among minorities, and those with alcohol-related problems but without yet experiencing significant negative social consequences.