Drug use over the youth–adult transition in a west of Scotland cohort: Prevalence, pathways and socio-demographic correlates

Abstract

Among a west of Scotland cohort surveyed at ages 15 (1987), 18, 23 and 30, lifetime prevalence (ever use) of any drugs rose from 9% at 15 to 58% at 23, thereafter increasing little; past year (‘current’) use peaked at age 23 (35%). Cannabis-only rates increased most between ages 15 and 18; ‘hard’ drug use increased steadily with age. There was considerable transitory use, particularly among cannabis-only users and those initiating later. Neither initiation nor use of cannabis only or other drug(s) was raised among those of lower background social class. However, cannabis-only initiation between 18 and 23 years was most likely among those from non-manual backgrounds who had left school later and were in full time education at 18. Initiation of other drug(s) between 18 and 23 also showed some evidence of this ‘student effect’. Measures which fail to distinguish different types of drug use, or the use of broad age bands, may obscure such relationships.