Depressive Disorders Linked to Drug Use

Early-onset depressive disorders at age 14 can predict the use of addictive substances later in adolescence, researchers in Finland said.

In a study of more than 1,800 young Finnish twins, early-onset depressive disorders at age 14 significantly predicted daily smoking, smokeless tobacco use, frequent illicit drug use, frequent alcohol use and recurrent intoxication three years later, even among those adolescents who were not users at baseline.

Analysis of twins for early-onset depressive disorders confirm predictive associations of early-onset depressive disorders with smokeless tobacco use and frequent drinking at age 17 1/2.

“The findings of this large population-based study emphasize the importance of early-onset depressive disorders in developmental trajectories of substance use,” Elina Hakola of the University of Helsinki said in a statement.

Since the analysis involved twins with shared genetic and familial backgrounds, other influences such as peers or personality traits may be important in the association of early-onset depressive disorders and smoking, drug use and drinking, the researchers said.