Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify developmental trajectories of problem alcohol and marijuana use from adolescence into young adulthood and to examine if family history of alcoholism, as well as a measure of sensation seeking (arousal) needs, predict trajectory group membership.
Using growth mixture modeling, five waves of longitudinal data from the Rutgers Health and Human Development Project were used to develop trajectories of problem alcohol and marijuana use. Chi-square analysis and ANOVAs were used to compare trajectory groups in terms of family history of alcoholism and arousal needs.
Five trajectory groups of problem users were identified: non-problem, minimal, adolescence-limited, chronic, and late onset escalating. Of those subjects who were chronic alcohol problem users, 27 percent- also displayed marijuana related problems well into adulthood. In addition, of those subjects who experienced adolescent limited alcohol problems, only 10 percent- displayed long term problems with marijuana.
Those subjects with chronic problem use of both alcohol and marijuana exhibited statistically higher sensation seeking scores at times one to three. This finding suggests that while sensation seeking needs appear to diminish in adulthood, early sensation seeking needs set in motion a trajectory of chronic use of alcohol and marijuana.
Finally, subjects who have an alcoholic mother or father appear to be at heightened risk for high levels of arousal needs and to subsequently be at higher risk for chronic problems associated with alcohol and marijuana use.