Drinking Patterns and Going-Out Behavior as Predictors of Illicit Substance Use: An Analysis among Dutch Adolescents

Abstract

This study examines relations between drinking patterns, going-out behavior, and illicit substance use among Dutch adolescents ages 15 to 24 who reported alcohol use at least once per week (N = 711). Logistic regression analyses indicated that adolescents reporting heavy drinking patterns showed higher risks of lifetime and current illicit substance use. Weekday drinking increased the risk of lifetime substance use for the youngest (15–17 years) and those with lowest education levels. Going out to bars and dance parties also increased the risk of lifetime and current illicit drug use, suggesting that drink setting was related to youngsters’ illicit substance use. In sum, these findings suggest that both drinking patterns and drink setting are important predictors of Dutch adolescents’ illicit substance use.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• binge drinking
• combined use
• drinking patterns
• illicit substance use
• prevention
• young people

Notes

Note: Interactions between demographic variables and the two predictors (i.e., drinking on weekdays and weekly binge drinking) were tested by using backward stepwise logistic regression analyses. Only significant interactions are presented.

Note: Interactions between demographic variables and the two predictors (i.e., drinking on weekdays and weekly binge drinking) were tested by using backward stepwise logistic regression analyses. Only significant interactions are presented.

Note: Interactions between demographic variables and the three predictors for going out (i.e., bars/cafés, discotheques, or dance events) were tested by using backward stepwise logistic regression analyses. Only significant interactions are presented.

Note: Interactions between demographic variables and the three predictors for going out (i.e., bars/cafés, discotheques, or dance events) were tested by using backward stepwise logistic regression analyses. No significant interactions were found.

The Mini-Census is a large-scale study providing very precise data on the Dutch household populations. In marketing research, the figures of Mini-Census are used to ascertain the targets for sample selection and to re-weight the netto samples according to population characteristics. The Mini-Census is regarded as the gold standard in calibration of sample research.

Data were statistically weighted according to demographic variables showing differences in distribution with the distribution population as registered by Statistics Netherlands (Statline) (see Appendix).