Alcohol and marijuana are the two most commonly used substances among young adults. With simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use becoming common, it puts young adults at higher risks for negative consequences. The current study examines cross-fading motives and association to more alcohol consumption and more hours high from marijuana and positive and negative consequences from alcohol and marijuana use.
Participants included 281 young adults between the ages of 18-25 years and reporting SAM use in the previous two weeks along with alcohol use during the previous month. The study included assessments twice daily for six 14-day spans over two years. Participants were asked about three specific cross-fading motives including “to be cross faded,” “to increase positive effects I get from alcohol,” and “to increase positive effects I get from marijuana.” General substance use motives were measured by asking sixteen different reasons. Finally, SAM use, alcohol use, perceived intoxication, marijuana use, intensity of high, and consequences from alcohol or marijuana were measured.
Of SAM use days reported, the average number of drinks was 4.2 and average number of hours high was 3.3. Respondents reported higher positive consequences than negative consequences for both substances on days of SAM use. The cross-fading motives were endorsed on over 60% of SAM use days and these motives were higher among college attenders. Individuals reporting greater cross-fading motives on average reported higher number of drinks and intoxication on average. It was found those reporting stronger cross-fading motives reported negative alcohol consequences, and higher positive marijuana consequences. These findings show cross-fading motives are common for young adults and understanding these for SAM use may improve interventions for this type of substance use.
Take Away: The current study examines cross-fading motives and association to more alcohol consumption and more hours high from marijuana and positive and negative consequences from alcohol and marijuana use. Participants included 281 young adults who completed twice daily assessments for six 14-day spans. Participants were asked about cross-fading motives, substance use motives, SAM use, alcohol use, perceived intoxication, marijuana use, intensity of high, and consequences from alcohol or marijuana. Cross-fading motives was endorsed on over 60% of SAM use days and these motives were higher among college attenders. Results showed that individuals reporting greater cross-fading motives on average reported higher number of drinks and intoxication on average. These findings show that cross-fading motives are common for young adults and understanding these motives for SAM use may improve interventions for this type of substance use.