ABSTRACT
As stated in chapter 1 and illustrated in Fig. 1.1, our task in this book is to explore why the new freedoms and responsibilities of young adulthood may cause changes in substance use. We focus on four categories of mediating variables: importance of religion and frequency of attendance at services (chap. 4); recreational behaviors including evenings out in general, and parties and going to bars in particular (chap. 5); perceived risks and disapproval associated with use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine (chap. 6); and perceptions of friends’ use of these substances, as well as perceived availability of marijuana and cocaine (chap. 7).
