Substance-using adolescents admitted to inpatient treatment: Characteristics and factors associated with length of time in treatment.

Studies of adolescents receiving inpatient substance use treatment remain limited. We explored the characteristics of adolescents who received substance use treatment as inpatients in a psychiatric hospital in Brazil and factors associated with length of time in this treatment.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. Electronic treatment records of 172 young people (aged 17 and below) receiving substance use treatment at Hospital Lacan in Brazil were analysed.

Results: The mean age of participants was 15.18 years (SD = 1.39). The sample was characterised as predominately male (68.60%), who entered treatment involuntarily (80.81%), were out of school (89.82%), were involved with the criminal justice system (59.88%) and came from a family with substance use problems (74.67%). Re-admission to inpatient treatment for substance use problems was common. On average, adolescents received inpatient treatment for 3 months. Length of time in treatment was associated with: involuntary admission to treatment, re-admission to inpatient treatment, requests of discharge from treatment by a relative/caretaker, education level, leaving school due to aggressive behaviours and cocaine use.

Conclusion: Findings highlight the complex profiles of adolescents receiving substance use treatment in Brazil. Cross-system collaboration between mental health, educational and justice services are needed to treat adolescents' substance use.