Drug use severity in adolescence affects substance use disorder risk in adulthood

Although more than 1 in every 3 US individuals will develop a substance use disorder in their lifetime, relatively little is known about the long-term patterns of substance use disorder symptoms from adolescence through adulthood.

Key Points

Question  What are the long-term patterns of substance use disorder symptoms from adolescence through adulthood?

Findings  In this national multicohort study of 5317 individuals followed from ages 18 to 50 years, the majority of adolescents with the most severe substance use disorder symptoms had 2 or more substance use disorder symptoms in adulthood. Most adults using prescribed opioids, sedatives, or tranquillisers had multiple substance use disorder symptoms during adolescence.

Meaning  These findings suggest that most adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms do not transition out of symptomatic substance use over a 32-year period, and prescribers must be aware that many adults prescribed controlled substances had substance use disorder symptoms during adolescence and require careful assessment.