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Adolescent drug use in our society is often times viewed as
a harmless phase that teens will, eventually, outgrow. Many believe
that teens would need to continue drug use for several years
into adulthood before actually becoming addicted. However, recent
research indicates that the earlier an adolescent begins using
chemicals, the higher the chance of his/her drug use progressing
rapidly into chemical dependency.
Research conducted by Grant and Dawson showed that the age
of when a person started drinking was a strong predictor for
future alcoholism as defined by DSM-IV. This research focused
on the age at drinking onset of 42,862 subjects and isolated
factors such as age, sex, race and family history of alcohol
abuse and dependence. The results of this research indicated
that when a thirteen-year-old starts drinking, s/he has a 43%
chance of becoming an alcoholic. If however, the thirteen-year-old
has a family history of alcoholism, the probability of his/her
becoming an alcoholic increases to 58%. In contrast, if the person
starts drinking at age 21 and has no family history of alcoholism,
the (continued on page 2)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 RAPID PROGRESSION OF ADOLESCENT
ONSET ADDICTION
1 SMOKING LINKED WITH USE OF DRUGS
AND ALCOHOL
2 EFFECTIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT
FOR ADOLESCENTS-ADVANCED TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS
3 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS FOR RAISING
HEALTHY KIDS |
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Research strongly indicates that alcohol and drug use is
much greater among smokers than non-smokers. According to a recent
research update from the Butler Center for Research and Learning
at the Hazelden Institute, among those who are alcohol and drug
dependent, 71% to 97% are smokers.
The results from the 1997 National Household Survey , conducted
by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
reveals a strong link between smoking and drug/alcohol use. This
survey showed that the number of smokers in the U.S. who also
use alcohol
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One study showed that those who did not
use tobacco had a significantly higher rate of recovery from
drugs and alcohol over a 12-month period. |
heavily is over six times greater than non-smokers with heavy
alcohol use (heavy alcohol use refers to drinking five or more
drinks on five or more days in past month.) The number of marijuana
users who also smoke tobacco was seven times greater than marijuana
users who do not smoke tobacco. Those using other illicit drugs
were five times more likely to be smokers than non-smokers.
Several studies have been conducted in recent years to determine
whether smoking has an impact on alcohol and drug addiction recovery
rates. One study showed that those who did not use tobacco had
a significantly higher rate of recovery from drugs and alcohol
over a 12-month period.1 Another recent study found that smoking
increased the risk of relapse among recovering alcoholics.2 Overall,
the research appears to indicate that, rather than threatening
drug and alcohol recovery, smoking cessation may actually increase
the likelihood of abstinence. |
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1. Stuyt, E. B., Recovery rates after
treatment for alcohol/drug dependence: Tobacco users vs. non-tobacco
users (1997). The American Journal on Addictions 6 (1) 159-167.
2. Sobell, L.C. and Sobell, MB., (1996) Alcohol abuse and smoking
. Alcohol Health and Research World (20) 2, 124-127. |
