Previous research has suggested that young adults who simultaneously use alcohol and marijuana are at an increased risk of experiencing adverse consequences compared to those who use either substance alone. A new study aimed to find connections between simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use and experience of negative consequences by young adults at parties.
In this study, data from a randomized community trial called The Study to Prevent Teen Drinking Parties was used. This data was collected from repeat online surveys of 15-20 year olds between 2015 and 2016. These surveys assessed experiences at parties including alcohol use, marijuana use, and consequences such as a hangover, engaging in unsafe sex, of being involved in a fight. These surveys also collected data on party statistics such as size of a party and gender of participants.
The results of this study indicated that 72.3% of the students surveyed only consumed alcohol, 5.2% only used marijuana, and 22.5% engaged in simultaneous use of marijuana and alcohol. Compared to those who used alcohol only, those who used marijuana only were less likely to experience any negative consequences. Those who reported use of both were significantly more likely to experience negative consequences. These users also reported consuming more alcohol per occasion compared to those who only reported using alcohol.
Take Away: Young adults who use alcohol and marijuana simultaneously at parties are more likely to experience negative consequences compared to those who only use one of the substances exclusively.
Egan, K.L., Cox, M.J., Suerken, C.K., Reboussin, B.A., Song, E.Y., et al. (2019). More drugs, more problems? Simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana at parties among youth and young adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.07.003.