Adolescents Admitted to In-Patient Treatment with Alcohol Intoxication: Risk and Resilience Factors Associated with Problematic Alcohol Use

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Although the number of adolescents admitted to in-patient treatment with alcohol intoxication (AIA) has strongly risen in many countries, knowledge about this patient population with respect to risk and resilience factors is lacking. The objectives of this study were (1) to explore whether the prevalence of substance use and use-related problems in a sample of AIA is elevated compared to adolescents from the general population and (2) to investigate which biopsychosocial factors are associated with prior problematic alcohol use in AIA.

Changing Pattern of Acute Alcohol Intoxications in Children

“…There are various risk factors for drinking in children including parents especially a father [ 6 ] or other relative who often consumes alcohol as these adults are usually a social role model and children often follow their parent’s behavior and develop a similar drinking pattern through observational learning, deviant peer affiliations, and an elevated alcohol tolerance; or when there is less parental supervising and strictness [ 7 ], or poor parental insight into children’s activities during their leisure time, and less parental control and fewer rules [ 6 ]. More girls reported coping motives than boys [ 5 , 8 ], and more often drink alcohol when they were depressed or to cheer up when they have problems, often leading to binge drinking [ 5 ].…”

“…Children who were hospitalized due to acute alcohol intoxication are at greater risk for alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse, binge drinking, smoking and illicit substance use [ 7 ], as well as delinquent behaviors [ 13 ].…”

Drinking until Intoxication: A Qualitative Study among Underage Adolescents Admitted to the Emergency Room

“…Despite decreases in adolescent drinking behavior in several European countries (ESPAD Group, 2015), the number of young people admitted to the ER due to an alcohol intoxication appears to be increasing (Bitunjac & Saraga, 2009;Callens, Van Hal, & De Dooy, 2015;Groß, Mick, Reichert, & Zimmermann, 2016;Grüne et al, 2017;Kuželová et al, 2009; Van der Lely, Schreurs, Van Hoof, & Van Dalen, 2016). Short term effects of drinking excessively in adolescence include increased risk of interpersonal violence, risky sexual behavior, and attempted suicide (Lepušić & Radović-Radovčić, 2013;Miller, Naimi, Brewer, & Jones, 2007;Stolle, Sack, & Thomasius, 2009).…”

“…However, it is unknown whether these determinants are also relevant for severe alcohol intoxication leading to unconsciousness and ER admission. Research on the determinants of binge drinking requiring hospital admission has so far only focused on quantitative differences, including blood alcohol levels, age, gender, and level of education (Bouthoorn, van Hoof, & van der Lely, 2011;Groß et al, 2016;Grüne et al, 2017;Van Zanten, Van der Ploeg, Van Hoof, & Van der Lely, 2013;Weinberg & Wyatt, 2006). In 2017, almost one in four people attending the ER in the Netherlands because of an alcohol intoxication was younger than 18 years old.…”

“…Despite the importance of these numbers, they do not provide an understanding of the experiences of adolescents themselves regarding their intoxication. More insight into severe alcohol intoxication among underage adolescents is needed to aid the development of prevention strategies and treatment (Groß et al, 2016;Van Zanten et al, 2013).…”