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. 2019 Jan;6(1):36-42.
doi: 10.14485/hbpr.6.1.3.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Use during the Initial Transition to College

Bilen Berhane  1 , Amy K Ferketich  1 , Megan E Roberts  1
Affiliations

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Use during the Initial Transition to College

Bilen Berhane et al. Health Behav Policy Rev. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to better examine substance use among college students during the acute period of transition between high school and college.

Methods: One week before coming to campus, participants completed an online survey assessing their alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Next, beginning on the first Friday of the semester, they completed a 10-day experience sampling (ES) protocol, receiving one app-based survey each morning assessing recent substance use.

Results: Among students who used any tobacco product prior to college, 70% or more reported alcohol use during ES. Among previous marijuana users, 85.7% reported alcohol use during ES. Baseline alcohol and tobacco use were not associated with subsequent marijuana use.

Conclusions: Substance use prevention should target the transition to college.

Keywords: college students; substance use.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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