NCJ Number
156953
Journal
American Journal on Addictions Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1995) Pages: 43-48
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Structured interviews were conducted with 64 adolescents or family members who called a national cocaine hotline seeking help for a possible adolescent drug problem, to analyze the factors involved in the initiation and patterns of alcohol and other drug use.
Abstract
Results revealed that the participants had an average age of 16.7 years. Two-thirds were males. Sixty-six percent used alcohol, 60.9 percent used marijuana, 60.9 percent used cocaine. The mean onset of use of these drugs was at 13.57, 13.28, and 14.64 years, respectively. Daily use of alcohol was reported by 25.8 percent, daily use of marijuana by 36.9 percent, and daily use of cocaine by 41.3 percent. Eighty- four percent reported trying drugs because of peer pressure. Multiple alcohol and drug use commonly started in early adolescence. Findings suggested that early interventions can incorporate and make use of these factors. 19 references (Author abstract modified)