Adolescents with incarcerated family members had 63% higher odds of early cannabis initiation and 71% higher odds of current use, beyond other adverse childhood experiences.
Youth prevention specialists; criminal justice reform advocates; school counselors.
71% higher odds of current cannabis use with family incarceration
What the researchers found
Using coarsened exact matching, family incarceration was associated with higher odds of early cannabis initiation (OR=1.63), past 30-day cannabis (OR=1.71), early alcohol initiation (OR=2.54), current alcohol (OR=2.11), and nicotine (OR=1.72).
Why it matters
Family incarceration affects millions of children disproportionately in communities of color. This isolates its unique contribution to substance use beyond other adversities.
The numbers in context
Early cannabis: OR=1.63 (1.03-2.59). Current cannabis: OR=1.71 (1.17-2.48). Early alcohol: OR=2.54 (1.64-3.90). Current alcohol: OR=2.11 (1.50-2.94). Nicotine: OR=1.72 (1.21-2.45).
How the study worked
Baseline survey of high school students. Coarsened exact matching balanced groups on other ACEs, demographics, and SES.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional baseline. Self-reported. Cannot determine which family member or duration. Matching cannot eliminate all confounding.
How to read the evidence
Well-matched analysis isolating family incarceration, but cross-sectional.
When this study was published
2025 study
The bigger picture
Mass incarceration creates generational ripple effects. Understanding substance use consequences can inform criminal justice reform and youth prevention.
Questions still open
- Would family support programs during incarceration reduce youth substance use? Does type or duration of incarceration matter?
Common questions
How is family incarceration different from other childhood traumas?
Which substances were most affected?
Read the original research
Family incarceration and adolescent nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use: A coarsened exact matching approach.
Addictive behaviors, 164, 108270
Citation
Forster, Myriam; Shaverdi, Abnous; Zhang, Xiao; Toledo-Corral, Claudia M; Grigsby, Timothy J. (2025). Family incarceration and adolescent nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use: A coarsened exact matching approach.. Addictive behaviors, 164, 108270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108270
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