“diagnostic imposters”. Similarly, there are several dependence symptoms with high prevalence among adolescents, (particularly “tolerance” and “drinking more or longer than intended”) that identify many adolescents with relatively low levels of consumption.14 c) The extent to which normative behaviors may be indices of risk. Given that some use of tobacco, alcohol and also cannabis is normative among older teens, age of initiation and use is an important consideration: use of these substances among younger adolescents and children may be an indicator of heightened risks for the development of abuse/ dependence15,16 and related risks.17-19,20
