Parallels to early onset alcohol use in the relationship of early onset smoking with drug use and DSM-IV drug and depressive disorders: Findings fromthe national longitudinal epidemiologic survey

This paper endeavored to determine (1) if early onset of regular tobacco us e is as predictive of drug use and depressive disorders as it is of alcohol use disorders; and (2) a a biological commonality, as measured by a family history of alcoholism and both early onset and severity of disease, among all three disorders can be evidenced in a large nationally representative s ample. Prevalences of lifetime drug use, drug abuse end dependence, and maj or depressive disorders, as well as indices of their severity, were compare d among smoking groups defined by age at onset of regular tobacco use and a mong nonsmokers. Linear logistic regression analyses, controlling for impor tant covariates, including a family history positive for alcoholism, were c onducted to assess the relationship between age at smoking onset and drug u se, abuse and dependence, as well as depressive disorders. Both objectives were met. Moreover, results suggest that smoking may play an equally, if no t even more, insidious role than drinking in the use and development of dep endence on illicit substances and depression.