Research & Resources

Scientists investigated the effects of alcohol and marijuana use and the exposure to adverse childhood experiences on depressive symptoms among young Black men. Data from 505 rural Black men age 19-22 showed that substance use significantly predicted an increase in depressive symptoms only among participants who were exposed to adverse childhood experiences. The study “The influence of substance use on depressive symptoms among young adult black men: The sensitizing effect of early adversity” is published in The American Journal on Addictions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse supported this research effort.