Substance Parity Laws and the Detection and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders Among Adolescents in Mental Health Care

Abstract

This study investigated the association between substance use parity laws and the detection/treatment of co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders among adolescents seeking treatment within a mental health setting. Data were drawn from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1997 Client/Patient Sample Survey (CPSS). The CPSS is a nationally representative survey of mental health service use obtained from standardized chart reviews. While 5.8% of the sample received a substance use diagnosis, only 32% of those youth received substance treatment. Youth receiving services in a state with a substance parity law were more likely to receive a substance use diagnosis and substance treatment compared with youth residing in a state without a substance parity law. Findings suggest that while substance parity laws may influence the detection and treatment of substance use disorders, overall, youth with a dual diagnosis remain underserved.

KEYWORDS:

• Substance parity law
• substance use disorder
• substance treatment
• adolescents
• Client/Patient Sample Survey

This research was conducted by the Survey and Analysis Branch of the Division of State and Community Systems Development, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Data analyses were supported by grant K01 DA15454-01 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and an investigator award from the Patrick & Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation.