Motives for simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among young adults
Previous research has pointed to young adults exhibiting peak lifetime levels of substance use; primarily alcohol and marijuana. Research has also shown that simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) may lead to higher alcohol-related consequences. The current study looks at motivations for SAM use and how these motivations relate to motives for alcohol use and motives for marijuana use.
The sample for this study included 779 young adults (ages 18-23) that participated in a longitudinal study for 24 months. Measures for this study included alcohol use motives, marijuana use motives, simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use motives, simultaneous alcohol and marijuana, number of drinks consumed per week, alcohol-related consequences, marijuana use, and marijuana consequences. Motives were assessed using different questionnaires that asked participants their reasons behind using the substances.
There were four factors found to describe motives for SAM use. These factors included conformity, positive effects, calm/coping, and social. Motives for SAM use was found to be “because it is customary on special occasions” and “as a way to celebrate.” Alcohol use motives were higher for enhancement and social subscales. For marijuana motives, it was found to be enjoyment, availability, and altered perception subscales. Researchers also found that all substance use motives were moderately correlated. Finally, it was discovered that SAM motives were associated with marijuana use and consequences, but not alcohol use or consequences. These findings are important to understand motives behind use when creating preventions and interventions for college students.
Take Away: There is concern with simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use among young adults. The current study looks at motivations for SAM use and how these motivations relate to motives for alcohol use and motives for marijuana use. The final sample included 779 young adults that completed a longitudinal study for 24 months. Measures included motives along with substance use among participants. Four factors were found for SAM use. They included conformity, positive effects, calm/coping, and social. Researchers also found that all substance use motives were moderately correlated. Finally, it was discovered that SAM motives were associated with marijuana use and consequences, but not alcohol use or consequences. These findings are important to understand motives behind use when creating preventions and interventions for college students.
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