Substance Use Trajectories Across the Middle School Years

Is it okay for adolescents to experiment with substances? Is it part of growing up or is it a marker for significant problems down the road? While the literature on the risk factors of adolescent substance abuse is extensive, the current study adds to the literature by identifying different substance use trajectories or patterns of use, ascertaining if early substance use has detrimental outcomes, and determining what modifiable risk factors are related to the trajectories. A cohort of 608 6th grade students in a suburban US area was followed for three years. Substance use trajectories were assessed in terms of growth levels across the sample and revealed four patterns: abstinence, binge, increase, and decrease. There were distinct risk factors predicting these trajectories with significant behavioral and affective outcomes from the trajectory groups. If we know what type of experimentation is detrimental, and know the risk factors associated with these groups, we will be better able to develop interventions targeted to specific groups.