Is early fatherhood associated with alcohol and other drug use?

This study compared young men (under age 23) who were fathers with those who were not to determine if early fatherhood was associated with substance abuse and psychosocial problems related to substance abuse. Drawing on a national longitudinal survey of young men, data from 558 males who had responded to interview questions about their use of alcohol and other drugs were analyzed. Use of alcohol by young fathers was less frequent than nonfathers, yet fathers were more likely to report problems associated with cocaine use. Helping professionals need to be alert to the potential for substance abuse among young fathers.