How do substance and polysubstance use trajectories differ by sexual attraction from ages 17 to 24? A community-based longitudinal cohort study in Switzerland

Key Points

• Distinct escalation patterns of substance use were associated with different sexual attraction groups, leading to targeted intervention opportunities.
• Youth with varying sexual attractions showed significant developmental timing differences in substance use escalation patterns.
• The analysis utilized a longitudinal cohort study design to track substance use trends from ages 17 to 24 over time.
• These findings highlight the need for tailored public health interventions for different youth attraction groups.