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. 2015 Feb 1:147:235-42.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.009. Epub 2014 Nov 26.

Family history density predicts long term substance use outcomes in an adolescent treatment sample

Rubin Khoddam  1 , Matthew Worley  2 , Kendall C Browne  2 , Neal Doran  3 , Sandra A Brown  4
Affiliations

Family history density predicts long term substance use outcomes in an adolescent treatment sample

Rubin Khoddam et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Aims: This study explored whether the density of family history (FH) of substance use disorders relates to post-treatment substance use outcomes in adolescents, with the primary aim of determining whether FH exerts a relatively stronger influence on longer-term outcomes.

Method: The present investigation examined adolescents (ages 12-18, n=366) from two independent samples who were treated for alcohol/substance use disorder (ASUD) and re-assessed during the eight years following treatment with identical methodology. Primary substance use outcomes were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 years post-treatment and included total drinks, days using marijuana, and days using other drugs.

Results: In hierarchical linear models there were significant FH density×linear time interactions for total drinks (z=12.75, p<0.001) and marijuana use days (z=4.39, p<0.001); greater FH density predicted more total drinks and more marijuana use days, with both associations becoming stronger over time. The increasing linkage between FH and other drug use was not significant over time.

Conclusions: Findings are consistent with previous research indicating that the risk associated with FH increases over time, especially in relation to quantity/frequency measures of alcohol and marijuana use. By extending these findings to an adolescent clinical sample, the current study highlights that FH density of alcohol and drug dependence is a risk factor for poorer long-term outcomes for adolescent-onset ASUD youth as they transition into adulthood. Future work should explore the mechanisms underlying greater post-treatment substance use for adolescents/young adults with greater FH density.

Keywords: Alcohol and drug dependence; Family history; Treatment outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

All of the authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of family history density scores and ASUD treated youth.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association between family history density and substance use outcomes increases over time for youth treated for alcohol and drug problems.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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