Interpersonal Influences in College Students' Initial Use of Alcohol and Drugs—The Role of Friends, Self, Parents, Doctors, and Dealers

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Abstract
The use of alcohol and drugs by 1,711 college students was surveyed anonymously, with a special interest in determining the sources of influence that led them to the initial use of different substances. Depending on the chemical, friends, parents, the person himself or herself, and doctors were named as the initial introducers. Drug dealers, by contrast, were named rarely and only in connection with a few hard drugs. Factors influencing drug use are discussed, and suggestions for prevention and treatment are made