Simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis has become more common among college students and has been associated with more adverse effects than using either substance alone. This has led many to question possible motives behind simultaneous use of these substances and if this behavior is planned or incidental. One possible motive for planned simultaneous substance use is the feeling of being “cross-faded.” There is a question of whether planned simultaneous substance use leads to risker use of these substances as researchers have previously found that planned drinking can lead to risker alcohol use. This study examines potential motives for planned and unplanned simultaneous substance use as well as if these behaviors are associated with consumption and negative use-related consequences in college students.
The study’s sample consisted of 341 full-time college students who completed 5 surveys daily through a smartphone application for 28 days following a baseline survey and a three month follow up survey for a total of 54 days (two of the days were eliminated due to technical difficulties). Participants were asked to report cannabis and alcohol use as well as any instance where the substances were used simultaneously. Planned versus unplanned use of these substances was also assessed. Additionally, students were asked about their motives for substance use, the physical and social contexts in which simultaneous substance use occurred, and negative consequences associated with substance use. Data was analyzed using mixed-effects models to examine motives and negative consequences associated with planned versus unplanned simultaneous substance use.
Results of the data analysis showed social and enhancement reasons as the primary motives associated with planned simultaneous substance use. Using at home or alone was linked with lower rates of planned simultaneous use, while using at a party, with more intoxicated people, or with more people using cannabis was linked to higher odds of planned simultaneous use. None of these results were statistically significant. Planned simultaneous use was also associated with greater consumption of both alcohol and cannabis. No associations were identified between planned versus unplanned simultaneous use and negative use-related consequences.
Takeaway: Motives, social, and physical context may be associated with planned versus unplanned simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol in college students.