Previous studies have shown that concomitant use of alcohol with cannabis and nicotine is prevalent among young adults. Use of these substances together can increase risk of experiencing adverse physical and psychological outcomes. With the growing availability of cannabis and nicotine vaping products, the prevalence of use of these substances among the young adult population has increased. Drinking intensity also differs among young adults with many displaying binge drinking (consuming 4 or more drinks for females and 5 or more drinks for males) or high-intensity drinking (consuming 8 or more drinks for females and 10 or more drinks for males) behaviors. This study examines potential links between drinking intensity and smoking/vaping of nicotine and cannabis in young adults.
The study’s sample consisted of 487 individuals who were participants in the Young Adult Daily Life (YADL) Study. Participants completed an annual online survey followed by 14 consecutive daily online surveys. The daily surveys assessed alcohol, nicotine/tobacco and cannabis use from the previous day. Respondents were also asked to report their race/ethnicity, sex, and college student status. Data was analyzed using two-level multilevel models (MLM) to examine within- and between-person connections across days between alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking, nicotine vaping, cannabis smoking, and cannabis vaping.
Results of the data analysis showed that among young adults that reported alcohol consumption, nicotine vaping was the most commonly reported concomitant substance used, followed by cannabis smoking, cannabis vaping, then cigarette smoking. Drinking intensity on a given day was positively associated with cigarette smoking, nicotine vaping, and cannabis smoking but not cannabis vaping. Nicotine and cannabis were used more often on days when high intensity drinking occurred. Between-person analysis showed that means of drinking intensity were associated with nicotine vaping, cannabis smoking, and cannabis vaping but not with cigarette smoking.
Takeaway: Drinking intensity may provide predictive value when assessing use of cannabis and nicotine among young adults.