Prevalence and Patterns of Polysubstance Use in a Nationally Representative Sample of 10th Graders in the United States

Abstract

Purpose The current study examines the prevalence and demographic correlates of self-reported substance use and identifies subgroups of polysubstance users among a cohort of US 10th grade students. Methods A nationally representative school-based cohort of US 10th grade students completed the NEXT Generation Health Study baseline survey in the spring of 2010 (N = 2,524). Results Past-year use of marijuana was most common among illicit drugs (26%), followed by misuse of medication (9%) and use of other illicit drugs (8%). During the past month, alcohol use was reported by more than one-third (35%), binge drinking by 27%, and cigarette smoking by 19%. Results further show that substance use varied somewhat by demographic characteristics. Results from the latent class analysis of polysubstance use indicated a 4-class solution as the best-fitting model; Class 1 (59%) included the ‘non-user’ group; Class 2 (23%) comprised the ‘predominant alcohol user’ group; Class 3 (11%) formed the ‘predominant marijuana user’ group; Class 4 (8%) was characterized as the ‘predominant polysubstance user’ group. Somatic and depressive symptoms varied significantly by class membership, with predominant polysubstance users reporting elevated levels of somatic and depressive symptoms. Conclusions The findings from this national study of 10th-grade students indicate high rates of substance and polysubstance use. The high level of depressive and somatic symptoms among polysubstance users indicates the need for mental health screening and referral.

Factors influencing psychoactive substance use among adolescents in public secondary schools in Uganda

“…Psychoactive substance use (PASU) among adolescents is an increasing subject of social and public health concern in most parts of the world (Conway et al, 2013;Thompson, Rivara, & Whitehill, 2015;Yusoff et al, 2014). Previous and recent decades have seen both scientific sources and popular press in developed and developing countries devoting priority to PASU among youth (Botvin & Griffin, 2007;Cronk & Sarvela, 1997).…”

“…The home initially and traditionally is considered the primary source where school-age children begin to draw their views of alcohol and its subsequent use (Conway et al, 2013;Wallace & Muroff, 2002;Yusoff et al, 2014). Furthermore, it has been suggested that family attitudes towards PASU behavior, poor and inconsistent family management practices, high levels of family conflict, and low family bonding work in unison to enable substance use among adolescents (Wallace & Muroff, 2002).…”

The Effect of Residence, School Status, Work Status, and Social Influence on the Prevalence of Alcohol Use Among Emerging Adults

“…Primary-sampling units consisted of school districts or groups of school districts stratifi ed across the nine U.S. census divisions. Within this sampling framework, 80 schools out of 137 (58.4%) randomly selected schools agreed to participate starting in the 2009-2010 school year (Conway et al, 2013). Within each participating school, 10th-grade classes were randomly selected to participate; student assent and parental consent were obtained.…”

Point Prevalence of Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Conditions and Associated Chronic Disease Burden Among Adolescents

“…[19][20][21] Mood disorders have also been found to be significantly associated with SUDs, including alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and polysubstance use. 22,23 Despite the high prevalence of BHCs among adolescents, many go unidentified and untreated. The Affordable Care Act and federal and state mental health and addiction treatment parity laws all contain provisions aimed at increasing access to treatment for BHCs.…”