HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Weisner, C Articles by Schmidt, L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Weisner, C Articles by Schmidt, L

Alcohol and drug problems among diverse health and social service populations.

C Weisner and L Schmidt

Alcohol Research Group, Medical Research Institute of San Francisco, Berkeley, CA 94709.

OBJECTIVES. This study responds to clinical and research interest in identifying alcohol- and drug-related problems in health and social service agency populations. These problems are associated with a variety of illnesses and social problems, and community agencies serve important screening functions. METHODS. Indicators of problematic alcohol and drug use are compared across representative samples of clients within a county's alcohol, mental health, and drug treatment systems; hospital emergency rooms; primary health clinics; criminal justice and welfare systems; and general population. RESULTS. Agencies followed a consistent rank ordering in the prevalence of substance abuse indicators. Highest prevalences were found in the populations of behavioral health agencies, including alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment facilities and criminal justice, followed by welfare agencies. General medical agencies served populations with the lowest prevalence and problem severity. CONCLUSION. Health and social service agencies provide significant opportunities for the screening and referral of individuals with problematic alcohol and drug use. Although behavioral agencies have higher potential for referral and intervention, general medical services may be more effective in conducting prevention and early case-finding activities.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y.-I. Hser, D. Longshore, and M. D. Anglin The Life Course Perspective on Drug Use: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Drug Use Trajectories Eval Rev, December 1, 2007; 31(6): 515 - 547. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. A. Schmidt, J. Wiley, D. Dohan, D. Zabkiewicz, L. M. Jacobs, S. Henderson, and M. Zivot Changing Patterns of Addiction and Public Aid Receipt: Tracking the Unintended Consequences of Welfare Reform Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law, October 1, 2006; 31(5): 945 - 980. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. A. Lown, L. A. Schmidt, and J. Wiley Interpersonal Violence Among Women Seeking Welfare: Unraveling Lives Am J Public Health, August 1, 2006; 96(8): 1409 - 1415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. T. Stephens, R. Braithwaite, N. E. Sprauve, and T. R. Louis Predictors of Prior Incarceration and Alcohol Use Among Soon-to-Be-Released Adult Male Inmates Journal of Correctional Health Care, January 1, 2006; 12(1): 4 - 11. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. T. McLellan, D. C. Lewis, C. P. O'Brien, and H. D. Kleber Drug Dependence, a Chronic Medical Illness: Implications for Treatment, Insurance, and Outcomes Evaluation JAMA, October 4, 2000; 284(13): 1689 - 1695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. RIVERS Services for Substance Abusers in a Changing Health Care System American Behavioral Scientist, May 1, 1998; 41(8): 1136 - 1156. [Abstract]