Session: Emerging Adults and Substance Use (Society for Social Work and Research 21st Annual Conference - Ensure Healthy Development for all Youth)

Emerging adults ages 18-29 represent nearly a quarter of all treatment admissions, and have the highest prevalence of risky alcohol use and drug use.  This symposium addresses a wide range of practical and theoretical issues, featuring studies with rigorous methodology and large sample sizes.  Topics include: the longitudinal associations between crime and substance use, differences in baseline characteristics and treatment processes between emerging adults and older adults in drug court settings, identifying sensitive and specific screeners for emerging adults, and testing a theoretical measurement model of emerging adults developmental reasons for using substances.  All presentations have direct implications for treatment and theory revision, and are highly consistent with this year's conference theme of healthy development.