THE RELATIONSHIP OF SUBSTANCE USE TO SEXUAL-ACTIVITY AMONG YOUNG-ADULTS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Data on substance use and sexual activity from a nationally representa tive, probability-based sample of young adults aged 18-30 in 1990 indi cate that 86% of respondents had had sex in the previous 12 months, wi th three-fourths reporting no more than one sexual partner. Seventy-fi ve percent of respondents had consumed alcohol in the past 12 months, 40% had smoked cigarettes and 20% had used marijuana. After adjustment for demographic factors, both sexual activity and a history of multip le partners were positively associated with some measures of substance use. Respondents who drank more frequently, those who were heavy drin kers, those who smoked cigarettes and those who used marijuana in the past year were more likely than others to be sexually active. Those wh o consumed five or more drinks at a sitting and those who used marijua na were more likely than others to have had more than one sexual partn er. Heavy drinkers were also less likely to use condoms; however, the results showed no association between having sex under the influence o f alcohol and engaging in unsafe sexual practices.