Patient reaction to traumatic injury and inpatient AODA consult: Six-month follow-up

This paper describes the effects of traumatic injury and an inpatient Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse consultation on patients admitted to a university hospital with a positive blood alcohol concentration. Forty-six subjects reported 6-month post-injury data on their alcohol use and treatment, referral compliance, injuries, health care utilization, motor vehicle events, and quality of life. Sixty-one percent reported abstinence in the previous 7 days and no binge consumption in the previous 30 days. Fifty percent met criteria for current depression. The sample accounted for significant post-discharge health care utilization including 206 outpatient visits and five additional hospitalizations. Thirteen percent were still receiving disability compensation and 44% missed at least 1 day of work in the last 30 days due to their injuries. The 46 subjects reported a lifetime incidence of 72 alcohol-related injuries, 74 motor vehicle crashes, and 88 other legal events.