Consequences of Adolescent Drug Use: Impact on the Lives of Young Adults

Consequences of Adolescent Drug Use represents a pioneering attempt to evaluate the effects of general and specific drug use during adolescence on young adulthood. Using a database of 654 young adults, the authors evaluate the effects of adolescent drug use on young adult family formation and stability, deviant behaviour and involvement, educational and livelihood pursuits, mental health, and social integration. The various detrimental effects are interpreted in the light of the literature as well as through the authors new theory on precocious development, which proposes that adolescents may, in part, use drugs to gain earlier adult status.