Consumo de cannabis entre adolescentes: patrón de riesgo, implicaciones y posibles variables explicativas

Abstract

In contrast to the achievements with other substances, it has not yet been possible to reduce the levels of cannabis use, the most used illegal substance among Spanish adolescents. The objective of this paper consists of updating levels of use (incorporating ages 12 and 13), estimating high-risk use and analyzing possible associated variables. For this purpose, a correlational method was used consisting of the administration of a survey to compulsory secondary school and high school students from the autonomous community of Galicia (Spain) in 2016. Results obtained from a sample of 3,882 Galician adolescents aged 12 to 18 (M = 14.52; SD = 1.72) reveal that the percentage of adolescents currently using tobacco and cannabis is higher than that of those using tobacco alone (12.7% vs 10.5%). This implies not only a higher probability of using other illegal substances, but also of developing rather high-risk use pattern, binge drinking or even experiencing problematic Internet use or cyberbullying. From a preventive perspective, the results reveal that personal variables such as self-esteem, assertiveness, social skills or impulsiveness have really weak explanatory power compared with other variables related to the setting of rules and limits by parents. One of the main conclusions of this paper is the need to adopt a comprehensive prevention approach.

Relación entre consumo de sustancias y rasgos esquizotípicos en adolescentes escolarizados

“…Por último, un 2,9% informó que fumaba cannabis mensualmente, cifra que contrasta con los estudiantes de Enseñanza Secundaria de 14 a 18 años de (ESTUDES 16-17) que confirman un consumo de cannabis de un 18,3% en los últimos 30 días. Datos de un reciente estudio revelan que, a día de hoy, es ya mayor el porcentaje de adolescentes que consumen tabaco y cannabis que únicamente tabaco (12,7% vs 10,5%) y que ello no sólo implica una mayor probabilidad de consumir otras sustancias ilegales, sino también de desarrollar un patrón consumo de alcohol de riesgo (Rial et al, 2018). Según diversos estudios, los jóvenes no son conscientes de las conductas de riesgo que conlleva el consumo de drogas; por la baja percepción de riesgo, consideran como inofensivo el consumo esporádico, lo cual les hace más vulnerables (Barrett y Bradley, 2016;López-Quintero y Neumark, 2010;Rowe, Santos, Behar y Coffin, 2016).…”

“…En las últimas décadas se han incrementado considerablemente las investigaciones que examinan la relación entre el consumo de drogas y problemas de salud mental (Casajuana Kögel, López-Pelayo, Balcells-Olivero, Colom y Gual, 2018;Cohn, Johnson, Ehlke y Villanti, 2016;Gonzalvo, Barral y Roncero, 2011;Rial et al, 2018). Uno de los grupos de trastornos mentales que mayor atención ha concitado ha sido el del espectro de psicosis.…”

School Well-Being and Drug Use in Adolescence

“…In Spain, alcohol is still the most consumed substance among the population between 14 and 18 years of age, according to the Observatorio Español de las Drogas y las Adicciones (2019). And, currently, the number of adolescents who smoke tobacco and cannabis is higher than the number of those who only smoke tobacco (Rial et al, 2019). The Instituto Deusto de Drogodependencias (Deusto Institute of Drug Addiction) has been researching this topic for over 30 years, as well as the variables that help understand this phenomenon.…”

Consumption of Substances in Nightlife Settings: A Qualitative Approach in Young Andalusians (Spain)

“…These last two patterns increase the risks, enhance the effects of some substances on others, interfere with diagnosis and make treatment more difficult [ 29 ]. A previous intervention in 3882 Spanish adolescents pointed out that, in the short term, the consumption of more than one substance led to a higher probability of consuming other illegal substances, risky or abusive consumption of alcohol (binge drinking), traffic accidents, injuries, risky sexual relations with a greater probability of sexually transmitted diseases, fights, problematic use of the Internet or cyberbullying [ 31 ], criminal behavior and other acts of violence [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In terms of medium- and long-term consequences, it is associated with physical problems, low cognitive performance, depression and suicide.…”