School variables and drug use in adolescence and adulthood: A retrospective study

Abstract

Drug use and gambling are major problems in today’s society. Many studies have found that school variables are related to drug use and gambling, but the persistence of such relationships in adulthood is still little-known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discover if these school variables are related to substance use and gambling in both adolescence and adulthood through a retrospective study. A sample of 416 people resident in Spain between 18 and 50 years old was used. Results showed that having a good academic performance and a positive school environment act as protective factors for substance use. A high rate of truancy and disruptive classroom behaviors are risk factors for drug use and gambling. This relationship not only appears in adolescence, it also continues into adulthood. Results can be used for better prevention and intervention against drug use and gambling.