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.
Prevention researchers, school counselors, child psychologists, and parents of at-risk youth.
61% were non/low users; impulsive sensation-seekers had earliest, most severe use
What the researchers 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.
Why it matters
Identifying preadolescent risk profiles before substance use begins could enable targeted prevention programs for the highest-risk youth.
The numbers in context
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 the study worked
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.
What this study cannot 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.
How to read the evidence
Longitudinal design with validated modeling approach, but limited to boys from low-income neighborhoods.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
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.
Questions still open
- 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?
Common questions
Can you predict which kids will use multiple substances?
How common was polysubstance use?
Read the original research
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
Citation
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
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