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Published on: November 21, 2013
[Identifying addictive behaviors among adolescents: a school-based survey]
M Chéron-Launay1, M Baha, C Mautrait
1Centre de tabacologie, hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France.
Summary
Adolescents are starting tobacco use earlier and frequently combine it with alcohol and cannabis. Most young smokers quickly lose control over tobacco use, highlighting the need for early prevention and cessation programs.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Health
- Addiction Science
Context:
- French epidemiological data indicate a trend of earlier tobacco experimentation among adolescents compared to the 1990s.
- Adolescent tobacco use often co-occurs with other psychoactive substance use, including alcohol and cannabis.
- Early smoking initiation is linked to increased nicotine dependence and difficulties with cessation in adulthood.
Purpose:
- To assess addictive behaviors, specifically loss of autonomy over tobacco, and psychological profiles in adolescents.
- To evaluate the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis consumption among high school students.
- To examine the relationship between substance use patterns and psychological indicators like anxiety and depression.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study in the Paris metropolitan area surveyed 300 adolescents (aged 15-16) on substance use and psychological well-being.
- Findings revealed 34% of adolescents smoked, 38% used cannabis, and 73% used alcohol. Frequent cannabis smokers initiated tobacco use earlier.
- A significant 94% of smokers reported loss of control over tobacco use, and smokers exhibited higher anxiety and depression scores compared to non-smokers.
Impact:
- The study underscores the rapid development of nicotine dependence and loss of autonomy in adolescent smokers.
- Findings emphasize the critical need for early, targeted interventions for tobacco prevention and cessation in adolescent populations.
- The association between tobacco use and psychological distress suggests the importance of integrated professional support for young people.
- The national smoking cessation questionnaire is identified as a potentially valuable tool for use in pediatric settings.
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