CONSEQUENCES AND ASSOCIATED
FEATURES OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE
A hallmark of substance misuse in adolescents is
impairment in psychosocial and academic func-
tioning. Impairment can include family conflict
or dysfunction, interpersonal conflict, and aca-
demic failure. Associated characteristics such as
offending behaviour, other high-risk behaviours
and comorbid psychiatric disorders contribute fur-
ther to risks and impairments. Injecting drug use
is rare and only a small minority of young peo-
ple develop physical dependence. Mortality is high
due to accidents, suicides and physical compli-
cations of substance misuse. In the UK, volatile
substance misuse accounts for 65 deaths per year,
which is about 2% of all deaths below the age of
18 years [5].
ASSESSMENT
Information should be obtained from a variety
of sources including the young person, par-
ents/other caregivers, general practitioner, school,
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