Race and Ethnic Differences in Attempts to Cut Down or Quit Substance Use in a High School Sample

Abstract

Much attention has been given to the initiation and progression of substance involvement of youth. Less is known about decrements in substance use and cessation efforts among adolescents from diverse race/ethnic backgrounds. The present study examined substance use and attempts to reduce or quit substance use among adolescents from three race/ethnic groups. Participants were 3,756 Asian-American, Latino, and White high-school students surveyed regarding use of cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs, alcohol-related consequences, and substance use cessation efforts. Results indicated that Latino and White students had similar lifetime prevalence rates of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit drug use relative to Asian Americans. Although Latino youths reported lower or comparable rates of alcohol use compared to Whites, they experienced more legal consequences related to their use. A higher proportion of Latinos indicated attempts to reduce or stop alcohol use in comparison to Asian Americans and Whites, and to reduce/stop drug use in comparison to Whites. Adolescents experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences were more apt to attempt to change their substance use than students reporting no consequences. However, few race/ethnic differences were identified in regard to preferred strategies to restrict or cease substance involvement. Implications for adolescent substance use interventions are discussed.