During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there was growing concern that social isolation and novel stressors may increase alcohol and cannabis use. Young adults are at high-risk for alcohol and cannabis use. This may be due to their susceptibility to potential life disruptions, pandemic-specific stressors, and mental health concerns. However, recent studies have demonstrated an overall small and nonsignificant effect of the pandemic on alcohol use. Additional studies have shown that substance use may have initially spiked but then quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels. This study examines long term trends/trajectories in alcohol and cannabis use behaviors among young adults during the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study’s sample consisted of 656 young adults who participated in a longitudinal study from January 2020 (pre-pandemic) to August 2021. Participants completed up to eight surveys that assessed alcohol and cannabis use during a typical week over the past month. Data was analyzed using multilevel spline growth models to estimate fluctuations in alcohol and cannabis use in three sections: 1) from pre-pandemic to April 2020, 2) from April 2020 to September/October 2020, and 3) from September/October 2020 to July/August 2021.
Results of the data analysis showed alcohol use frequency increased by 3% per month during section 1, decreased by 4% per month during section 2, and decreased by 1% per month during section 3. Additionally, alcohol use quantity decreased significantly during all three time segments. Cannabis use quantity increased by 3% per month during section 1, decreased by 3% per month during section 2, and decreased by 6% per month during section 3. There were no significant sex or age differences in rate of change of alcohol use during each of the three time segments. Age did moderate the rate of change in cannabis use frequency during segment 3 but sex did not affect changes in cannabis use frequency or quantity at any of the time points.
Takeaway: Alcohol and cannabis use among young adults may have declined during the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic.