Pre-injury substance abuse among persons with brain injury and persons with spinal cord injury

Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

J42143.

Journal:

Brain Injury

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

1999 , 13, 8, 571-581

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study comparing pre-injury patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among rehabilitation patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), matched for age, sex, race, and mechanism of injury. Data are from 52 patients in an urban rehabilitation center designated as a model system of care for TBI and SCI. It was found that 81% of participants with TBI and 96% with SCI reported pre-injury alcohol use, while 42% with TBI and 57% with SCI reported heavy pre-injury use of alcohol. Marijuana use was reported by 27% of participants with SCI and 19% of participants with TBI, while heroin use was reported by 12% of participants with SCI versus 4% of participants with TBI. This document is included in NCDDR's Guide to Substance Abuse and Disability Resources Produced by NIDRR Grantees, 2nd edition, number D.43., and in NCDDR's Guide to Traumatic Brain Injury Resources Produced by NIDRR Grantees, number C.34.

Author(s):

Kolakowsky-Hayner, S. A., Gourley Iii, E. V., Kreutzer, J. S., Marwitz, J. H., Cifu, D. X., McKinley, W. O.