Internalizing problems, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder, have been shown to predict cannabis use and cannabis use disorder as adolescents progress into adulthood (Wittchen et al., 2007), although some of these relations were attenuated when co-occurring externalizing problem were controlled. In general, there is epidemiological support for the role of internalizing psychopathology in predicting adolescent substance use and abuse, yet the strength of these relations is less robust when comorbid disruptive disorders are considered (Costello, 2007). Thus, for maltreated children who are at substantial risk for the development of early externalizing and internalizing psychopathology, the developmental course poses vulnerability for engaging in substance use and developing substance abuse problems.
