Study of 926 boys identifies six developmental patterns of substance use, with impulsive sensation-seekers at highest risk
Among 926 boys from low-income neighborhoods followed through adolescence, six distinct patterns of co-occurring alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use emerged, with impulsive sensation-seekers showing the earliest onset and most severe polysubstance use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Latent growth mixture modeling revealed six developmental patterns: 61% were non/low users, while five polysubstance groups varied in severity. Higher sensation-seeking and lower anxiety were common across all user groups. Low self-esteem and family risk factors differentiated all users from later-onset users. Higher impulsivity and school problems characterized the most severe early-onset groups.
Key Numbers
926 boys; 61% were non/low users; 5 polysubstance groups varied in severity. Impulsive sensation-seekers with low anxiety and low self-esteem accumulated the most risk factors.
How They Did This
Longitudinal study of 926 boys from low-socioeconomic urban neighborhoods. Latent growth mixture modeling identified co-occurring substance use patterns through adolescence. Preadolescent risk factors (personality, family, school) were tested as predictors.
Why This Research Matters
Identifying preadolescent risk profiles before substance use begins could enable targeted prevention programs for the highest-risk youth.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that personality traits measurable before adolescence predict substance use trajectories supports a shift from universal prevention programs toward indicated prevention targeting high-risk youth.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only boys studied (no girls). Low-socioeconomic urban sample limits generalizability. Self-reported substance use. Preadolescent measures may not capture all relevant risk factors. Historical cohort may not reflect current substance availability.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do the same patterns apply to girls?
- ?Would early intervention targeting impulsive sensation-seekers actually prevent polysubstance use?
- ?How do these trajectories interact with cannabis legalization?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 61% were non/low users; impulsive sensation-seekers had earliest, most severe use
- Evidence Grade:
- Longitudinal design with validated modeling approach, but limited to boys from low-income neighborhoods.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Illicit Drugs Use Throughout Adolescence: Co-occurring Courses and Preadolescent Risk-Factors.
- Published In:
- Child psychiatry and human development, 53(6), 1194-1206 (2022)
- Authors:
- Carbonneau, Rene, Vitaro, Frank(4), Brendgen, Mara, Tremblay, Richard E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03742
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you predict which kids will use multiple substances?
This study found that preadolescent traits, specifically high sensation-seeking, high impulsivity, low anxiety, low self-esteem, family problems, and school difficulties, together predicted the most severe patterns of combined alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use during adolescence.
How common was polysubstance use?
About 39% of boys fell into one of five polysubstance use groups of varying severity. The remaining 61% were non-users or very low users throughout adolescence.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03742APA
Carbonneau, Rene; Vitaro, Frank; Brendgen, Mara; Tremblay, Richard E. (2022). Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Illicit Drugs Use Throughout Adolescence: Co-occurring Courses and Preadolescent Risk-Factors.. Child psychiatry and human development, 53(6), 1194-1206. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01202-w
MLA
Carbonneau, Rene, et al. "Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Illicit Drugs Use Throughout Adolescence: Co-occurring Courses and Preadolescent Risk-Factors.." Child psychiatry and human development, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01202-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Alcohol, Marijuana and Other Illicit Drugs Use Throughout Ad..." RTHC-03742. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/carbonneau-2022-alcohol-marijuana-and-other
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.