Tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among high-risk young people: A five-year longitudinal study from adolescence to emerging adulthood

The present study described the prevalence of adult role taking and substance use among individuals attending alternative high schools, who were followed for five years to early emerging adulthood (n = 848). Psychosocial factors at baseline and adult role taking at the follow-up were examined as correlates of substance use during emerging adulthood. At this stage of life, 74% of subjects were employed, 30% were married or engaged, and 43% had at least one child. One third of subjects were daily cigarette smokers, and 24% had used marijuana in the past 30 days. Forty-seven percent had experienced negative consequences of alcohol or drug use in the last year. The most consistent positive predictors of substance use in emerging adulthood were male gender and previous drug use. Addiction concern was a consistent negative predictor. After controlling for baseline psychosocial variables, attending school and being married at the five-year follow-up were negative correlates of both personal consequences and problems related to alcohol or drug use.