Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding the patterns of comorbid substance use, particularly among adolescents, is necessary to address resulting harm. This study investigated the prevalence of comorbid use of marijuana, tobacco and binge drinking among 14 to 15-year-olds. The study also examined the relationship between comorbid substance use and behaviour frequency and explored common underlying risk factors for comorbid substance use.MethodsA nationally representative sample of 3,017 New Zealand Year 10 students completed self-report measures of marijuana use, tobacco use, binge drinking and socio-demographic characteristics in the 2012 Youth Insights Survey (YIS). Weighted population estimates were calculated. Ordinal logistic regression models were constructed to a) investigate the relationship between comorbidity and substance use behaviour frequency, and b) profile those with the greatest degree of comorbid substance use.ResultsIn the past month, one-in-twenty (4.7%) students had engaged in all three substance use behaviours, 5.8% in two, and 11.9% in one. Around half of adolescents who had engaged in one had also engaged in another, with three-quarters of tobacco-users also using marijuana and/or binge drinking. Respondents who reported a greater degree of comorbidity were likely to engage in substance use behaviour more frequently. Comorbid substance use was significantly predicted by gender, ethnicity, school decile status, past week income, social connectedness, and parental monitoring and rule enforcement.ConclusionsThe results identify a core group of adolescents sharing common characteristics who frequently engage in comorbid substance use behaviours. More sophisticated and wider interventions addressing multiple substances are required, especially for marijuana and tobacco use.
Highlights
Understanding the patterns of comorbid substance use, among adolescents, is necessary to address resulting harm
The current study examined the patterns of comorbid marijuana use, tobacco use and binge drinking among a nationally representative sample of 14 to 15-year-old students in New Zealand
10.1% had smoked marijuana, 11.4% had smoked tobacco, and 16.8% had engaged in binge drinking
Summary
This study investigated the prevalence of comorbid use of marijuana, tobacco and binge drinking among 14 to 15-year-olds. The harm associated with the use of marijuana, tobacco and alcohol in adolescence is substantial. Binge drinking (i.e., consuming relatively large amounts of alcohol in a single occasion) in adolescence is associated with health risk. In New Zealand, a sixth of school exclusions for students under the age of 16, where the student cannot return to the school and must enrol elsewhere, are due to alcohol, tobacco, or drug use [4]. In 2012, 8% of New Zealand adolescents aged 14 to 15 years were regular smokers (smoking daily, weekly, or monthly) [5], while 13% of 13 to 17-year-olds were current marijuana users and 23% had engaged in binge drinking in the past month [6].
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