Summary
Introduction:
This text provides a summary of a research study examining the relationship between electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use and alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents and adults. The study aims to determine the extent to which ENDS use is associated with alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents and to compare the odds across adolescent samples and a comparison group of adult samples.
Key Points:
* The study conducted a comprehensive literature review and identified 32 independent articles that met the inclusion criteria.
* The study found that adolescents who use ENDS have approximately 4.5 to 6 times greater odds of reporting co-occurring alcohol or marijuana use.
* The relationships between ENDS use and alcohol use, marijuana use, and binge drinking are all large in adolescents, whereas the relationships are small in adults.
* The study suggests that clinicians and researchers alike should assess and further study ENDS use in adolescents.
* The study highlights the need for significant research to better understand how and why ENDS use is so strongly associated with alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents.
* The study recommends increased methodological rigor, including the investigation of the potential mechanisms and moderators of the relationship between ENDS use and alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents.
* The study emphasizes the importance of early assessment and detection of adolescent substance use, including assessing for ENDS use, to mitigate long-term persistence of substance use across the lifespan.
Main Message:
The study highlights the urgent need for further research to better understand the relationship between ENDS use and alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents. The findings suggest that ENDS use is strongly associated with co-occurring alcohol or marijuana use in adolescents, and clinicians and researchers should assess and study ENDS use in this high-risk group. The study emphasizes the importance of early assessment and detection of adolescent substance use, including assessing for ENDS use, to mitigate long-term persistence of substance use across the lifespan. The study's findings suggest that ENDS use may have a gateway effect on other substance use, and further research is needed to understand the causal direction between ENDS use and alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents.
Citation
hershberger a, argyriou E, Cyders M. Electronic nicotine delivery system use is related to higher odds of alcohol and marijuana use in adolescents: Meta-analytic evidence. addictive behaviors. 2020;105:106325. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106325
