The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents

3.10.2 Behavioral Problems and Marijuana Use

The severity of behavioral problems is significantly associated with increased likelihood of marijuana use among adolescents (Table 3.5). Adolescents with serious behavioral problems were over four times more likely to report marijuana use than those with low levels of behavioral problems. Past-month marijuana use was reported by 4 percent of adolescents with low levels of behavioral problems, by 8 percent of those with intermediate problem scores, and by 17 percent of those with significant behavioral problems. Adolescents with serious behavioral problems were significantly more likely to use marijuana than those with less serious behavioral problems. This pattern was observed in the different age groups for both males and females. Marijuana use was highest among older adolescents aged 16 to 17 with serious behavioral problems: 26 percent for males and 21 percent for females. For very young adolescents aged 12 to 13 with serious behavioral problems, the corresponding rates were 6 percent for males and 7 percent for females.

3.11 Psychological Factors and Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana

Table 3.6 presents information concerning use of illicit drugs other than marijuana among adolescents classified according to the severity of emotional and behavioral problems. This table presents information concerning use of substances including , cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, and abused prescription drugs.

3.11.1 Emotional Problems and Use of Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana

The severity of emotional problems is significantly associated with increased likelihood of using illicit drugs such as cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin, or abused prescription drugs (Table 3.6). Adolescents with serious emotional problems were approximately four times more likely than those with low levels of emotional problems to use these illicit drugs (Table 3.6). Past-month use of illicit substances other than marijuana was reported by approximately 3 percent of adolescents with low levels of emotional problems, by 5 percent of those with intermediate problem scores, and by 10 percent of those with significant emotional problems. This pattern was observed in the different age and gender groups with the exception of males aged 12 to 13. Use of illicit substances other than marijuana was highest among adolescent males aged 16 to 17 (13 percent) and females aged 14 to 15 (11 percent) with serious emotional problems.

3.11.2 Emotional Problems and Dependence on Illicit Drugs

The severity of emotional problems is associated with increased likelihood of illicit drug dependence (Table 3.6a). Adolescents with serious emotional problems were four times as likely as those with low emotional problem scores to be dependent on illicit drugs. More than 7 percent of adolescents with serious emotional problems reported dependence on substances such as cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, heroin or abused prescription drugs. Illicit drug dependence was reported by approximately 4 percent of adolescents with intermediate scores and by less than 2 percent of those with low emotional problem scores. A consistent pattern was observed within specific age groups. For all age and gender groups except males aged 12 to 13, the prevalence of illicit drug dependence was significantly higher among adolescents with serious emotional problems. The highest rates of illicit drug dependence were among older adolescents aged 16 to 17 with serious emotional problems: nearly 13 percent for males and 10 percent for females. Among very young adolescents with serious emotional problems, illicit drug dependence was reported by less than 1 percent of males and by 4 percent of females.

3.11.3 Emotional Problems and Need for Illicit Drug Treatment

The severity of emotional problems is associated with increased likelihood of needing treatment for illicit drug abuse (Table 3.6b). Adolescents with serious emotional problems were over four times more likely than those with low emotional problem scores to need illicit drug treatment. Nearly 11 percent of adolescents with serious emotional 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 5 percent of adolescents with intermediate scores and by less than 3 percent with low emotional problem scores. When examined within specific age and gender groups, need for illicit drug abuse treatment was greater among those with serious emotional problems. With the exception of adolescent males aged 12 to 13, this difference was significant for all age and gender groups.

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.