Depression and conduct problems were the strongest predictors of teens using multiple substances
Among 1,661 Australian adolescents, depression and conduct problems were the strongest predictors of using alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis together, with 10% using multiple substances.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
20.3% had used at least one substance in the past 30 days, 6.7% used two, and 3.3% used all three. The most common combination was alcohol+tobacco, followed by alcohol+cannabis. Conduct problems, depression, and school environment accounted for the most variance in poly drug use.
Key Numbers
1,661 adolescents, ages 15-17. 20.3% used 1+ substance. 6.7% used 2. 3.3% used all 3. Most common combination: alcohol+tobacco, then alcohol+cannabis. Top predictors: conduct problems, depression, school environment.
How They Did This
Survey of 1,661 Australian adolescents aged 15-17 (50.9% male) assessing past 30-day use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, with psychological, environmental, and demographic factors analyzed using weighted multilevel logistic regression.
Why This Research Matters
Prevention programs often target substances individually, but a third of substance-using teens used multiple substances. Targeting the underlying drivers, particularly depression and conduct problems, could be more efficient than substance-specific approaches.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that psychological factors drive poly drug use more than demographic factors shifts the prevention conversation from "which kids use drugs" to "which psychological states drive drug use." Treating depression and conduct problems may be the most effective substance prevention strategy.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine causation. Australian adolescent population may differ from other countries. Self-reported substance use. Past-30-day window may miss less frequent users.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would treating adolescent depression and conduct problems reduce poly drug use?
- ?Are the predictors different for each substance combination?
- ?Could school environment interventions prevent poly drug use initiation?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Depression and conduct problems were strongest predictors; 10% of teens used multiple substances
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: adequate sample with comprehensive predictor assessment, but cross-sectional Australian sample.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019.
- Original Title:
- Factors Associated with Poly Drug Use in Adolescents.
- Published In:
- Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 20(5), 695-704 (2019)
- Authors:
- Jongenelis, Michelle, Pettigrew, Simone(2), Lawrence, David, Rikkers, Wavne
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02092
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What drives teens to use multiple substances?
Depression and conduct (behavioral) problems were the strongest predictors, followed by the school environment. Addressing these psychological factors may be more effective than targeting individual substances.
How common is poly drug use in teens?
In this Australian sample, about 10% of 15-17 year olds used two or more substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) in the past month. The most common combination was alcohol with tobacco.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02092APA
Jongenelis, Michelle; Pettigrew, Simone; Lawrence, David; Rikkers, Wavne. (2019). Factors Associated with Poly Drug Use in Adolescents.. Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 20(5), 695-704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-019-00993-8
MLA
Jongenelis, Michelle, et al. "Factors Associated with Poly Drug Use in Adolescents.." Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-019-00993-8
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Factors Associated with Poly Drug Use in Adolescents." RTHC-02092. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/jongenelis-2019-factors-associated-with-poly
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.