Adverse childhood experiences and adolescent cannabis use trajectories: findings from a longitudinal UK birth cohort

An article has been published in The Lancet titled “Adverse childhood experiences and adolescent cannabis use trajectories: findings from a longitudinal UK birth cohort.” This research report explores the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cannabis use during adolescence. ACEs include various forms of abuse, parental issues, and other adversities. The study analysed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK birth cohort study, to examine the timing and frequency of cannabis use in relation to ACEs. The findings suggest that individuals who experienced four or more ACEs are at the highest risk of problematic cannabis use during adolescence. Specifically, parental substance problems showed a particularly strong association with increased cannabis use. While there were limitations to the study, including difficulties in controlling for confounders, it does suggest that addressing ACEs through public health measures to potentially reduce problematic adolescent cannabis use.

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