Addiction in late adolescence: Substances and the internet

Background: The use of psychoactive substances has been associated with addictive behaviors and common mental disorders in adolescents. Objectives: to verify the association of psychoactive substance consumption with Internet Dependence, Depression, Anxiety, Self–Esteem, and sociodemographic factors in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. Methods: interviews were conducted with 2,293 adolescents, where the use of psychoactive substances, internet addiction, self-esteem and symptoms of anxiety and depression and their possible relationship with sociodemographic factors were verified. Results: The factors: being male (aOR=1.4; CI95%=1.00–1.94); of social class A–B (aOR=1.56; CI95%=1.05–2.33); work in a paid manner (aOR=1.55; CI95%=1.19–2.04); have probable anxiety (aOR=2.57; CI95%=1.84–3.60); and be Internet dependent (aOR=1.95; CI95%=1.49–2.56), were associated with a higher chance of being an abusive user of alcohol and other drugs. The chance of being dependent on psychoactive substances increases when Internet dependence is present (aOR=2.16; CI95%=1.46–3.20), probable anxiety (aOR=3.45; CI95%=2.08–5.71), and possible depression (aOR=1.60; IC95%=1.05–2.43). Conclusion: Adolescents who are dependent on the Internet, and exhibit anxiety and depression, have an increased likelihood of chemical dependence. Keywords: Internet Addiction Disorder; Self Concept; Depression; Anxiety; Substance–Related Disorders.