INITIATION AND PROGRESSION OF ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND COCAINE USE AMONG ADOLESCENT ABUSERS

Adolescent alcohol and drug use are associated with many negative cons equences. Understanding factors in initiation and patterns of use coul d aid in treatment and prevention. Sixty-four adolescents calling a co caine hotline received structured telephone interviews. Mean age was 1 6.7 years. Two-thirds of the adolescents were young men. Sixty-six per cent used alcohol; 60.9%, marijuana; 60.9%, cocaine; mean onset was at 13.57, 13.28, and 14.64 years, respectively. Daily use of alcohol was reported by 25.8%; marijuana, 36.9%; and cocaine, 41.3%. Eighty-four percent tried drugs because of peer pressure. Multiple alcohol/drug us e commonly started in early adolescence. Peer use and pressure were ma jor reasons for initiation. Early interventions can incorporate and ma ke use of these factors.