TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1992//
TI  - A descriptive study of trauma, alcohol, and alcoholism in young adults
JO  - Journal of Adolescent Health
A1  - Jurkovich, Gregory J.
A1  - Copass, M. K.
A1  - Seguin, D. A.
A1  - Ries, R. K.
A1  - Gurney, J. G.
A1  - Rivara, Frederick P.
SP  - 663
EP  - 667
VL  - 13
IS  - 8
N2  - Young adults, 18-20 years of age, admitted to a trauma center via the emergency department, were studied to determine if they had been drinking prior to their injury event. The prevalence of self-reported chronic alcohol problems was examined using the short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (SMAST). Of the 319 subjects, 131 (41%) tested positive for alcohol, including about one-half of those with intentional injuries and 38% with unintentional injuries. Approximately 22% had blood alcohol concentrations of 100 mg/dL or more, indicating they were legally intoxicated at the time of their injury. Of study subjects who completed the SMAST, 49% attained scores suggesting potential or probable alcoholism, and 20% had already sought some type of treatment, despite their young age. Health-care practices and policies related to these findings include routine screening of trauma patients for alcohol abuse and integration of chemical dependency intervention services with trauma care.
LA  - 
SN  - 1054-139X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -