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Nearly two million school-aged children in the United States are currently homeschooled. This study examined homeschooled adolescents' attitudes toward, access to, and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) compared to their non-homeschooled peers. Findings indicate that homeschooled adolescents are significantly more likely to strongly disapprove of their peers drinking (AOR=1.23) and trying (AOR=1.47) and routinely using (AOR=1.59) marijuana. Homeschooled adolescents are significantly less likely to report using tobacco (AOR=0.76), alcohol (AOR=0.50), cannabis (AOR=0.56) and other illicit drugs and to be diagnosed with an alcohol- (AOR=0.65) or marijuana- (AOR=0.60) use disorder. Finally, homeschooled adolescents are also less likely to report easier access to illicit drugs and to be approached by someone trying to sell drugs compared to non-homeschooled peers.


Vaughn, M. G., Salas-Wright, C. P., Kremer, K. P., Maynard, B. R., Roberts, G., & Vaughn, S. (2015). Are home schooled adolescents less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 155, 97-104. 

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Journal Article