Childhood conduct problems and other early risk factors in rural adult stimulant users.

CONTEXT: Understanding childhood risk factors associated with adult substance use and legal problems is important for treatment and prevention.

PURPOSE: 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.

FINDINGS: 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.