Another critical factor in the divergent paths of alcohol use between boys and girls is the concurrent use of multiple substances. Patterns of use parallel those found for alcohol, in that teen boys and girls demonstrate similar rates of drug use in adolescence, and males start to show higher quantity and frequency of use in late adolescence which maintains throughout adulthood (SAMHSA, 2008). Among adults with alcohol problems and also those without, men are more likely to currently use drugs and be diagnosed with a drug use disorder (Hanna & Grant, 1997). While there is not a definitive causal relationship between alcohol and drug use disorders, problematic use of one substance is strongly associated with use of other substances (SAMHSA, 2008), and thus the gender difference in rates of drug use may help to explain some aspect of the gender difference in AUDs as men and women age into young adulthood.
