Exploring the Importance of Demographic, Familial and Situational Risk Factors for the Choice of Specific Psychoactive Substances

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) represents a pattern of alcohol or drug use that causes significant impairment and distress, acting as a risk factor for suicide, trafficking, and poverty. This cross-sectional study investigated demographic and situational determinants of SUD among English- and Polish-speaking online addiction-related forum users ( N = 385). Data analyzed in JASP revealed a predominantly male sample (57%, mean age 33). Polysubstance use was prevalent, averaging three substances per participant; depressants (34%), cannabinoids (23%), and opioids (21%) were most frequent. Younger age (r = 0.231, p < .001) and male gender (r = 0.643, p = .005) predisposed to cannabis use, while female gender correlated with opioid use (r = 0.603, p = .012). Older age predicted higher alcohol consumption (r = 0.187, p < .001). Family history of SUD increased treatment likelihood (r = 0.338, p < .001) and number (r = 0.162, p = .001). Notably, females without a family history reported the highest average number of substances used. These findings emphasize non-uniform addiction pathways, necessitating personalized, inclusive, and culturally aware clinical interventions.