Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Review of twin and adoption studies of adolescent substance use
Christian J Hopfer1, Thomas J Crowley, John K Hewitt
1Division of Substance Dependence, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA. Christian.Hopfer@uchsc.edu
Objective:
To review studies of adolescent substance use and abuse with genetically informative designs.
Method:
Twin and adoption studies of adolescent substance use were searched in Medline using keywords.
Results:
Of 19 studies that used adolescent samples, 18 examined initiation or use of substances and 1 examined abuse. Of the 7 retrospective studies using adult samples, 6 examined problematic behaviors such as substance dependence. Genetic and shared environmental influences on adolescent substance use are moderated by the specific substance, age, gender, specific contexts, religiousness, and region. There is some evidence for a common genetic influence on substance use across substances. Genetic influences on adolescent substance use may act through an influence on disinhibited behavior. Shared environment contributed to adolescent substance use consistently across all adolescent samples and common shared environmental influences influenced initiation into tobacco and alcohol use. While parental alcohol use had a small influence on adolescent shared environment, sibling influences were substantial.
Conclusions:
Twin and adoption studies have increased our understanding of genetic and environmental influences on adolescent substance use and its initiation; however, more studies focusing on clinical syndromes of abuse and dependence are needed.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Drug Dependence
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.

