@article{ref1,
title="Age of first use as a predictor of current alcohol and marijuana use among college-bound emerging adults",
journal="Journal of child and adolescent substance abuse",
year="2013",
author="Bergen-Cico, Dessa K. and Lape, Megan E.",
volume="22",
number="3",
pages="235-253",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used psychoactive substances; however, the sequencing and relationship between age of first use and continued current problematic use among college-bound emerging adults is not well understood. <br><br>METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of current and historical alcohol and marijuana use among college-bound recent high school graduates (N = 1,365; age [approximately equal to]18 years). <br><br>RESULTS: Drinking was prevalent (78%, N = 1,055) and marijuana use was prevalent (46%, N = 622). Stepwise logistical regression revealed the lower the age of first use, the higher the prevalence of current problematic substance use. Those who initiate alcohol [less than or equal to] 12 are twice as likely to currently use marijuana frequently. A significant relationship was found between age of first use and non-social substance use (drinking, p = 0.0001; marijuana, p = 0.0025). The temporal ordering of substance use indicates that alcohol precedes marijuana use, and age of first alcohol use is relevant to rates of initiation and current marijuana use.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1067-828X",
doi="10.1080/1067828X.2012.733591",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2012.733591"
}