substance use risk_factor_for substance use

Individuals who use substances frequently or heavily can lose control of their substance use behaviours, resulting in substance use disorders

delaying the timing of first use will likely reduce only a small amount of the risk for substance use problems

delaying early substance initiation may help directly reduce risk for disorder

the propensity to initiate substance use at a younger age may exert some direct – or phenotypic – influence on the general risk for disorder.

substance use in childhood or early adolescence is an early warning sign of possible substance-related problems later in life