The Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital
Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Role of Alcohol in Adolescent Injury
 Alcohol abuse is the leading risk factor for injury and a contributing factor to the three leading causes of adolescent death motor vehicle crashes, suicide and homicide [16]. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death for 15-20 year olds and 31% of adolescent drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking [17].
An analysis of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) for 2001 through 2004 indicates that, in the underage drinking population of 13-20 year olds, from 2001-2004 there were 858,828 alcohol-related injuries among emergency department visits [18]. Rates of alcohol use among pediatric trauma patients range from 3-40%[19-24] as indicated in the table below.
Author |
Rate of alcohol use among pediatric trauma patients |
Colby et al 2002 |
3% |
Barnett et al 1998 |
30% |
Ehrlich et al 2006 |
11% |
Maio et al 2000 |
4% |
Meropol et al 1995 |
5% |
Mannenbach et al 1997 |
39% |
However these rates are likely an underestimate. Ehrlich 2006 reported that among injured trauma patients 14-17 years while only 11% had a positive blood alcohol concentration, 39% screened positive for high risk alcohol behaviors. This finding highlights the need to screen all injured adolescents presenting to the trauma service. Many more than those presenting alcohol positive to the emergency department have high risk drinking behavior that needs to be addressed.
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