This work analyzes the consumption of alcohol in its diverse forms
(beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails), tobacco, and cannabis in a large sample of 4,034
youths of both sexes, ages between 14 and 18 years old, from the Community of
Madrid. The high level of habitual use of all the substances analyzed was confirmed,
with a higher percentage of men consuming beer than women, and women
consuming much more of other substances, such as tobacco, than men. For the
entire sample, the initiation age of substance use was around 13-14 years old in
both sexes, except for the regular use of wine and cannabis, in which the women
started later than the men. Lastly, once initiated, consumption continuity was
analyzed and once again the addictive power of the substances analyzed was confirmed,
as the percentage of habitual consumers in both sexes increased significantly
with age.