Co-occurring disorders of adolescents in primary care: closing the gaps

Adolesc Med Clin. 2006 Jun;17(2):453-67. doi: 10.1016/j.admecli.2006.03.004.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in adolescents is a serious challenge for the primary care system. The needs of these youth continue to be underrecognized, poorly diagnosed, and inappropriately treated in primary care settings, which are often the first point of contact with the health provider system. This article highlights the need for changes at the clinical, organizational, and policy levels to create a system of care that can effectively identify, refer, treat, and coordinate the care for these adolescents and their families.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Community Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / organization & administration
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • United States