Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Middle School: Comparing Solitary and Social-Only Users

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 744 - 749
• Main Authors: Tucker, Joan S., Ph.D, Pedersen, Eric R., Ph.D, Miles, Jeremy N.V., Ph.D, Ewing, Brett A., M.S, Shih, Regina A., Ph.D, D’Amico, Elizabeth J., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Los Angeles - epidemiology; Male; Marijuana; Marijuana Smoking - epidemiology; Medical sciences; Middle school; Miscellaneous; Pediatrics; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Social Behavior; Solitary use; Surveys and Questionnaires; Los Angeles; Alcohol; Marijuana; Solitary use; Middle school; Human; Consumption; Alcoholic beverage; Adolescent; Drug of abuse; School environment
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.06.015

Abstract Purpose Middle school students with a history of solitary substance use are at elevated risk for substance problems by young adulthood. Understanding how these students differ from social-only users on substance use behaviors and consequences, normative beliefs, social influences, and attitudes can inform efforts to reduce solitary use and its related negative consequences. Methods Sixth- to seventh-grade students completed an in-school survey. We compared those with a history of solitary versus social-only alcohol use (n = 202 and n = 616, respectively) and marijuana use (n = 92 and n = 208, respectively) on a range of substance use–related characteristics. Results Any solitary use was reported by 25% of lifetime alcohol users and 31% of lifetime marijuana users. Those with a history of solitary use of either substance were more likely to hold positive expectancies about their use but also reported more negative consequences during the past year. Solitary users tended to have greater exposure to substance-using peers and more difficulty resisting offers to use. Compared with social-only drinkers, those with a history of solitary drinking perceived that more of their peers were alcohol users. Significant group differences were not found on negative outcome expectancies or attempts to cut down on substance use. Conclusions Solitary use is an important, yet, overlooked problem among middle school students who have just begun drinking or using marijuana. Results suggest that positive expectancies, peer influences, resistance self-efficacy, and normative beliefs may be important areas to target in reducing solitary use and the risk it poses for problematic use in young adulthood.