Children and Youth Services Review: 'substance use and substance use disorders as foster youth transition to adulthood'.

Narendorf, Sarah Carter ; McMillen, J. Curtis

This study examined rates of getting drunk, marijuana use and substance use disorders over time for a cohort of 325 older adolescents in foster care in Missouri. Rates of past month marijuana use increased from nine per cent at age 17 to 20 per cent at age 19. Rates of getting drunk in past year increased from 18 per cent at age 18 to 31 per cent at age 19. Compared to the general population, older foster youth had lower rates of substance use but higher rates of substance use disorders (SUD), with 15 per cent meeting criteria for a SUD at age 19. Young people who had left the custody of the state had significantly higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use at ages 18 and 19. Transitions out of residential care and into independent living situations were associated with use of substances at age 18. Different risk factors were associated with substance use at ages 18 and age 19 while risk factors for SUDs were more stable over time. Findings highlight the need to screen and provide treatment for SUDs before young people leave state custody and to consider substance misuse treatment in decisions to extend care beyond age 18.

32:1, pp 113-19, January 2010, USA