Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality – 2011
Report of a study of data on substance use among young mothers (age 15-19). Describes how adolescents are more susceptible to substance use, and how substance-using teenage mothers risk the health and well-being of both themselves and their children. 35% of young mothers reported tobacco use, 30% used alcohol, and almost 12% used marijuana. Young mothers in all age ranges were more likely to smoke cigarettes than young women of the same age who were not mothers. Young mothers aged 15-17 were more likely to use alcohol and marijuana than young women in that age group who were not mothers. Young mothers aged 18-19 were less likely to use those drugs than non-mothers in the same age category. Report suggests that the youngest mothers and their children are at the greatest risk for problems related to substance abuse, and recommends targeted interventions for this population.
