查看文章

Adolescence is often described as a time of experimentation with risky or problem behaviors (Arnett, 2000), and substance use is one such behavior that is initiated during this age period. Substance use and addictive disorders are topics of considerable importance both because of their significance for adolescent development and because of their public health impact. For example, considering both adults and adolescents, recent estimates are that the use and abuse of alcohol, nicotine, and illegal drugs cost the United States approximately $257 billion per year, exceeding the costs associated with heart disease or cancer (Institute of Medicine, 1994a). Surprisingly, given its importance, adolescent substance use as a research area is relatively new, although it has seen rapid and significant expansion in the past three decades.