Links between alcohol use with and/or without parental permission and other substance use

ABSTRACT

Background

Outcomes associated with adolescent alcohol use with parental permission are not well understood. The current study examined associations between alcohol use with and/or without parental permission and past year cigarette and marijuana use among high school students.

Methods

High school students reported on alcohol use (with and without parental permission) and other substance use.

Results

Findings indicated that those who only used alcohol with parental permission were less likely to also use marijuana than those who used alcohol both with and without parental permission as well as youth who only used alcohol without parental permission. However, risk for cigarette use did not differ for those who used alcohol only with parental permission from those who only used alcohol without parental permission.

Conclusions

The current study further indicates that alcohol use with parental permission does not necessarily reduce risk for negative outcomes associated with adolescent alcohol use.

Highlights

• Alcohol with and without parental permission is common.

• Alcohol with and without parental permission is most strongly linked to other substance use.

• Alcohol use with parental permission is associated with cigarette use.

• Parental permission for alcohol use does not necessarily reduce risks associate with drinking.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol use
• parental permission
• cigarettes, marijuana

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.