Racial and Ethnic Differences in Referral Source for Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Youths

This study examined racial and ethnic differences in admissions to substance abuse treatment and in the referral source in admissions to treatment. The 2012 Treatment Episode Data Set (N = 117,862) was used and included African-American, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and other racial/ethnic youths, ages 12 to 17. Age at admission to treatment, racial and ethnic differences in primary substance used, and co-occurrence of a psychiatric problem were found to be statistically significant. Health care providers were 3times more likely to refer youths with psychiatric problems and the school system was 2times more likely to refer Hispanic youths to treatment. Implications are discussed.