The research took place in a large metropolitan area in the upper midwest. The study began in 1990. The research proposed that the cumulative effect of stressful life experiences over time can lead to a steeper escalation of drug use in adolescence and that factors such as gender, income, family attachment, self-esteem, and mastery can moderate this effect. The study estimated a hierarchical growth curve model that examined the time-varying effects of stressful life events and peer relationships on drug use. Results indicated that experiencing a high number of life events over time relates to a significant growth of drug use, even after controlling for growth in drug use due to age or peer relationships. In addition, family attachment moderated this relationship; high levels of attachment significantly reduced this growth in adolescent drug use. Tables, figure, notes, author photographs and biographies, appended list of variables, and 80 references (Author abstract modified)