Teen Cannabis Use Mirrors Alcohol Patterns, Study Finds

New research indicates that cannabis use among adolescents follows a similar pattern to alcohol consumption, suggesting that interventions to prevent substance use should target the entire population rather than focusing solely on high-risk groups.

Similar Population-Level Trends

A study published in the journal Addiction reveals that changes in average cannabis use among Swedish adolescents are reflected across all levels of users – from those who use infrequently to those who use frequently. This mirrors established patterns observed with alcohol consumption. The findings suggest that broad changes in societal norms, availability, and attitudes influence cannabis use across the board.

Extensive Data Analyzed

The research, conducted by researchers at Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet, analyzed data from the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs’ (CAN) national school surveys. The data encompassed over 250,000 students aged 15-18, spanning from 1990 to 2023. Researchers examined the frequency of cannabis use and how this distribution has evolved over time.

Stable Distribution of Use

A key finding highlighted the stability of cannabis use distribution over time. When average use increases or decreases, the change occurs consistently across all user groups. According to Thor Norström, co-author and Professor Emeritus at the Swedish Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University, “Increases in average use are not driven solely by a small group of heavy users, but by broader changes in behavior among users in general.”

Increased Frequency with Higher Average Use

The study as well demonstrated a correlation between higher average cannabis use and an increase in the proportion of adolescents who use cannabis particularly frequently. This indicates that when average use rises, so does the number of young people potentially at risk of cannabis-related problems.

Implications for Prevention Efforts

These findings support the “total consumption model,” a theory prominent in alcohol research. This model emphasizes that preventive efforts should not be limited to high-risk individuals. Instead, interventions must address the entire population, recognizing that changes in norms, availability, and attitudes impact all users simultaneously. Håkan Leifman, co-author and researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet, notes that “Our results suggest that adolescent cannabis use is characterized by collective changes, in which social networks, norms, and the broader societal climate play an critical role.”

Changing Attitudes and Public Health

The researchers emphasize the relevance of these findings in light of increasingly permissive attitudes toward cannabis internationally. Even in countries where cannabis remains illegal, like Sweden, shifting norms can influence adolescent behavior. Norström stresses the importance of a broad public health perspective in preventive efforts, stating, “This underscores the importance of a broad public health perspective in preventive efforts targeting cannabis use among young people.”

Source: Society for the Study of Addiction