The long-term effects of school dropout and GED attainment on substance use disorders.

•Dropouts were more likely to smoke and have a marijuana use disorder in adulthood.•Attainment of a GED does not appear to be protective from substance use.•Those with a GED were more likely to smoke than dropouts or graduates.•Participants with a GED had more marijuana use disorders than graduates.•Dropouts were more likely than graduates to initiate smoking in high school.