An article examined demographic risk factors and trends from 1998 to 2009 for concurrent multiple substance use in adolescence in England. All forms of substance use were found to be strongly related. The prevalence of multiple substance use decreased significantly across time in line with decreases in individual substance use. The prevalence of individual and multiple substance use across years was higher among white young people. Males were more likely to engage in risky drinking behaviour. Females were more likely to smoke regularly, but were at increased risk for multiple substance use. Deprivation was unrelated to drinking behaviour: but it was associated with increases in smoking and illicit drug use, and all forms of multiple substance use.
Source: Daniel Hale, Research Associate, and Russell Viner, 'Trends in the prevalence of multiple substance use in adolescents in England, 1998-2009', Journal of Public Health, Volume 35 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Aug