Abstract
This study explores adolescents' perceptions of adverse consequences linked to their illegal psychoactive substance (IPS) use, as they are often thought to minimise them. From a Swiss nationally representative sample of 8740 adolescents aged 16 to 20 pursuing post-mandatory education, 2515 participants reported IPS use in the past month on a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. The percentages of participants reporting problems in four areas (individual, school, relationships and sexual) were assessed, depending on the type of IPS consumption over the last 30 days: occasional cannabis users: ≤2 times; regular cannabis users: ≥3 times; and poly-consumers: cannabis plus at least one other substance used. The percentages varied significantly across these three groups with 26.9% of occasional users, 53.8% of regular users, and 73.3% of poly-consumers reporting at least one problem. Compared to occasional cannabis users, poly-consumers were more likely to report problems in all four categories [relative risk ratio (RRR): 3.38 to 5.44], while regular cannabis users often reported only school and relationship problems [RRR: 2.43 to 3.23]. Thus, many adolescents seem to perceive the negative effects of their IPS use, with heavier consumption being associated with increasing problems. Physicians should feel confident questioning adolescents on the adverse consequences of their IPS consumption, as they are likely to be responsive on this issue.
Highlights
Rates of illegal psychoactive substance (IPS) use among adolescents living in Western countries rose in the 1980s and 1990s and, having slightly declined recently, have remained significant ever since [1,2,3,4]
This study explores adolescents’ perceptions of adverse consequences linked to their illegal psychoactive substance (IPS) use, as they are often thought to minimise them
Many adolescents seem to perceive the negative effects of their IPS use, with heavier consumption being associated with increasing problems
Summary
Rates of illegal psychoactive substance (IPS) use among adolescents living in Western countries rose in the 1980s and 1990s and, having slightly declined recently, have remained significant ever since [1,2,3,4]. The wide range of products, their availability and, most importantly, the young age at which they have are consumed contribute to making IPS use a youth public health issue [2, 3, 5]. This is the case in Switzerland, as it has one of the highest cannabis consumption rates in Europe among 15 year-old adolescents [6]. If the tendency of adolescents to deny the effects of IPS use is not confirmed, doctors, psychologists, social workers and other health professionals may modify their approach and may be more inclined to explore such consequences with their adolescent patients. Our hypothesis was that Swiss adolescents consuming the most and using
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
