Childhood conduct problems and other early risk factors in rural adult stimulant users.
BACKGROUND
Understanding childhood risk factors associated with adult substance use and legal problems is important for treatment and prevention.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship of early substance use, conduct problems before age 15, and family history of substance abuse on adult outcomes in rural, stimulant users.


METHODS
Adult cocaine and methamphetamine users (N = 544) in rural Arkansas and Kentucky were interviewed. Data were analyzed using both bivariate analyses and multiple logistic and log-linear regression models, with dependent variables being any substance abuse/dependence, stimulant abuse/dependence, total number of arrests since age 18 and days incarcerated since age 18.


RESULTS
One third reported 3 or more conduct disorder problems prior to age 15; half reported initiation of substances (excluding alcohol) before age 15; and 60% reported family history of substance problems. All 3 variables were associated with adult substance abuse/dependence but only the latter two were associated with stimulant abuse/dependence.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights early risk factors for adult substance abuse/dependence among rural stimulant users.
Kramer
Teresa L
TL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Health Services Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. KramerTeresaL@uams.edu
Han
Xiaotong
X
Leukefeld
Carl
C
Booth
Brenda M
BM
Edlund
Carrie
C
D000293:Adolescent; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult