December 8, 2011 |
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Combined 2004 to 2009 data indicate that females made an annual average of 333,780 ED visits that involved illicit drugs. From 2004 to 2009, the number of ED visits involving illicit drugs among females was unchanged overall, with no significant improvements for cocaine, heroin, or stimulants. The number of visits involving marijuana among females was 88,317 visits in 2004 compared with 130,672 visits in 2009, although the difference was not statistically significant.
Visits involving one illicit drug showed a statistically significant increase. Specifically, the number of ED visits involving Ecstasy among females increased 91.7 percent, from 4,627 visits in 2004 to 8,871 visits in 2009 (Figure 1).
Drug | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ecstasy | 4,627 | 4,274 | 5,915 | 5,141 | 8,425 | 8,871 |
* The difference between the number of visits for 2004 and 2009 is statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Source: 2004 to 2009 (08/2009 update) SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). |
Combined 2004 to 2009 data indicate that females aged 21 to 50 accounted for about 75 percent of ED visits involving abuse of illicit drugs by females (Figure 2). Specifically, females aged 21 to 30 made 28.2 percent, females aged 31 to 40 made 25.3 percent, and females aged 41 to 50 made 23.4 percent of these ED visits.
Age | Percentage |
---|---|
Aged 0 to 17 | 7.2% |
Aged 18 to 20 | 8.6% |
Aged 21 to 30 | 28.2% |
Aged 31 to 40 | 25.3% |
Aged 41 to 50 | 23.4% |
Aged 51 to 60 | 6.5% |
Aged 61 or Older | 0.8% |
Source: 2004 to 2009 (08/2009 update) SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). |
For ED visits among females, the most frequently involved illicit drug was cocaine (53.7 percent) (Table 1). Nearly one third (31.9 percent) of visits involved marijuana, nearly one fifth (18.3 percent) involved heroin, and more than one tenth (12.8 percent) involved stimulants. Among females aged 17 or younger and those aged 18 to 20, marijuana was the drug most commonly involved (72.6 and 55.1 percent, respectively); however, cocaine was the drug most commonly involved in visits made by females aged 21 or older (data not shown).
Drug Category/Combination | Annual Average Number of ED Visits |
Percentage of Visits* |
---|---|---|
Total ED Visits | 333,780 | 100.0% |
Cocaine | 179,095 | 53.7% |
Marijuana | 106,349 | 31.9% |
Heroin | 60,966 | 18.3% |
Stimulants | 42,831 | 12.8% |
Methamphetamines | 31,183 | 9.3% |
Amphetamines | 13,928 | 4.2% |
One Illicit Drug Only | 142,989 | 42.8% |
Illicit Drugs in Combination* | 190,791 | 57.2% |
Multiple Illicit Drugs Only | 67,819 | 20.3% |
Illicit Drug(s) and Alcohol | 68,962 | 20.7% |
Illicit Drug(s) and Pharmaceutical Drug(s) | 65,216 | 19.5% |
Illicit Drug(s), Alcohol, and Pharmaceutical Drug(s) | 24,372 | 7.3% |
* Because multiple drugs may be involved in each visit, estimates of visits by drug may add to more than the total and percentages may add to more than 100 percent. Source: 2004 to 2009 (08/2009 update) SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). |
Among ED visits involving illicit drugs among females, about two fifths (42.8 percent) of visits involved only one illicit drug, while about three fifths (57.2 percent) involved an illicit drug in combination with other drugs (Table 1). Overall, one fifth (20.3 percent) involved multiple illicit drugs with no alcohol or pharmaceutical involvement. Other visits involved illicit drug(s) in combination with alcohol only (20.7 percent) or illicit drug(s) in combination with pharmaceutical(s) only (19.5 percent).
Among ED visits by females involving illicit drugs, 56.9 percent were treated and released (Figure 3). Of these, 46.6 percent were discharged to home, 7.0 percent were referred to drug detoxification treatment, and 3.4 percent were discharged back into police custody (data not shown).
Disposition | Percentage |
---|---|
Treated and Released | 56.9% |
Hospitalized | 28.7% |
Other | 14.4% |
Source: 2004 to 2009 (08/2009 update) SAMHSA Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). |
Over one in four (28.7 percent, or 95,857 visits annually) ED visits involving illicit drugs by females resulted in hospitalization. Of these, 9.3 percent were admitted to the psychiatric unit, 3.8 percent were admitted to an intensive or critical care unit, 3.0 percent were admitted to an inpatient chemical dependency or drug detoxification unit, and 12.6 percent were admitted to another inpatient unit (data not shown).
Comparison of these findings with those in a previously published report5 regarding ED visits involving illicit drugs among males reveals that visits by women are more likely to involve combinations of illicit drugs with pharmaceuticals, while visits by men are more likely to involve combinations of illicit drugs with alcohol. These differences in substance use behaviors can be considered during planning of prevention and treatment programs.
The findings in this report suggest that prevention and intervention campaigns focusing on illicit drug use can benefit females of all ages. Health clinics that specialize in women's health, including obstetric and gynecologic medical practices, may be one avenue for prevention efforts to reach both younger and older females. Middle and high schools, community colleges, and universities may provide additional avenues for prevention campaigns targeting younger females.
For the 3 in 10 ED visits involving illicit drugs that result in hospitalization, the hospital stay may extend the opportunity for providers to give women information about the risks of using illicit drugs in general and combining drugs in particular. In addition, the stay may be an opportunity for assessment of and screening for substance abuse. Hospital and ED services also can provide a link to available treatment options within the community.
In order to be comprehensive, substance abuse treatment programs must address issues specific to women's needs. Services associated with parenting and pregnancy can promote positive birth outcomes and child welfare; ancillary services such as child care support a mother's ability to stay in treatment. Mental health services also are important; studies show that women with substance abuse problems are more likely than men to have co-occurring mental health disorders.6 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) makes available materials addressing women's specific treatment needs to assist providers who treat adult women with substance use disorders. For example, SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment has published a review on gender-specific research and best practices, such as common patterns of initiation of substance use among women, and specific treatment issues and strategies.7
The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related morbidity and mortality. DAWN uses a probability sample of hospitals to produce estimates of drug-related emergency department (ED) visits for the United States and selected metropolitan areas annually. DAWN also produces annual profiles of drug-related deaths reviewed by medical examiners or coroners in selected metropolitan areas and States. |
The DAWN Report is published periodically by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (formerly the Office of Applied Studies), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from SAMHSA. Additional copies of this report or other reports from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality are available online: http://samhsa.gov/data/. Citation of the source is appreciated. For questions about this report, please e-mail: shortreports@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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