Recently published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Chronic Health Conditions and Substance Use Among Canadian Youth: A Nationally Representative Study examines how substance use varies among Canadian youth living with different types of chronic health conditions. Using data from more than 13,500 participants aged 12 to 17 years in the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), the researchers investigated patterns of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis use.
The researchers found that nearly one in three Canadian youth reported using at least one substance, while 15% reported using multiple substances. Substance use was lowest among youth with no chronic health conditions and those with physical health conditions only, and highest among youth with mental health conditions and multiple chronic health conditions.
The highest rates of substance use were observed among youth with mental health conditions and those living with multiple chronic health conditions. Youth with physical health conditions alone showed substantially lower rates of substance use, highlighting the important role of mental health in understanding substance use risk during adolescence. Associations between chronic health conditions and substance use were also generally stronger among girls than boys.
These findings highlight the need for prevention and support strategies that recognize the connections between physical health, mental health, and substance use. Better integration across health, mental health, developmental, and addiction services may help improve outcomes for youth living with complex health needs.
