Polysubstance Use in Early Adulthood: Patterns and Developmental Precursors in an Urban Cohort

Abstract

Polysubstance use (i.e., simultaneous or sequential use of different psychoactive substances) is associated with increases in the risk of severe health problems and social impairments. The present study leverages community-representative, long-term longitudinal data from an urban cohort to assess: (a) the prevalence and continuation of polysubstance use between adolescence and early adulthood; (b) different patterns of polysubstance use (i.e., combinations of substances) in early adulthood; and (c) childhood risk factors for polysubstance use in early adulthood. At age 20 (n = 1,180), respondents provided comprehensive self-reported information on past-year substance use, including use of legal and illicit substances (e.g., cannabinoids, stimulants, and hallucinogens), and nonmedical use of prescription drugs (e.g., opioids, tranquilizers). In adolescence (ages 13–17), limited versions of this questionnaire were administered. In childhood (ages 7–11), potential risk factors, including individual-level factors (e.g., sensation-seeking, low self-control, aggression, and internalizing symptoms) and social-environmental factors (e.g., social stressors, exposure to others’ substance use), were assessed. We fitted latent class models to identify classes of participants with different substance use profiles in early adulthood. The results show that polysubstance use increased between early adolescence and early adulthood. The continuation of polysubstance use was common (stability between all adjacent assessments: odds ratio >7). At age 20, more than one-third of participants reported polysubstance use (involving illicit substances, nonmedical use of prescription drugs, and cannabidiol). Four latent classes with polysubstance use were identified: (1) broad spectrum of substances; (2) cannabis and club drugs; (3) cannabis and the nonmedical use of prescription drugs; and (4) different cannabinoids. Risk factors for any polysubstance use included childhood sensation-seeking and exposure to others’ substance use; some childhood risk factors were differentially associated with the four classes (e.g., low self-control in childhood was associated with an increased likelihood of being in the broad spectrum class). The classes also differed with regard to socio-demographic factors. This study revealed that polysubstance use is a widespread and multifaceted phenomenon that typically emerges during adolescence. To facilitate the design of tailored prevention mechanisms, the heterogeneity of polysubstance use and respective socio-demographic and developmental precursors need to be considered.

Associations among perceived health competence, effortful control, self-control, and personality traits in Japanese university students

“…In contrast, self-control is the pursuit of desirable and undesirable goals 12 . Self-control has been reported to be associated with various health behaviors 13 – 15 , suggesting that it may also be associated with perceived health competence. Personality is the dynamic organization of the psycho-physical systems within an individual that determine their characteristic behavior and thought patterns 16 .…”

Polysubstance use in South Asia

“…Polysubstance use is associated with increased risks of addiction and overdose [8], physical health problems, self-harming behaviours, psychopathology, cognitive dysfunction, and lower educational and occupational achievements, poor treatment outcomes and higher mortality rate as compared with mono-substance use [7][8][9][10]. Polysubstance use in adolescence and early adulthood can be extremely detrimental for physical and mental development [11].…”

Family, Individual, and Other Risk Factors Contributing to Risk of Substance Abuse in Young Adults: A Narrative Review

“…An individual who abuses substances is susceptible to a lower quality of life than a healthy non-abuser in multiple aspects and could experience psychological, physical, social, educational, and functional impairments. Research studies show that in the United Kingdom, problematic Internet use is associated with a wide range of negative social and psychological effects, including depression, bullying, alcohol and drug abuse, and depression [8,9]. Moreover, any health issue could double in severity when abusers use two or more of psychoactive substances, compared with abusers who use a single drug.…”

“…In certain age groups, such as adolescence and young adulthood, polysubstance abuse can have multiple serious consequences that could affect their future, especially because this age is considered to be a transition period from adolescence to adulthood. Drug abuse can affect the future of their social relationships, identity development, and educational advancement [9]. Furthermore, due to possible risky conduct, such as sharing needles, substance use increases the risk of HIV infection, while actual drug use could worsen actual HIV/AIDS-related health problems [7].…”