Co-use of Alcohol and Cannabis: A Review

Yurasek, Ali M.; Aston, Elizabeth R.; Metrik, Jane

doi:10.1007/s40429-017-0149-8

Cited by 252 publications

(198 citation statements)

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“…Almost three‐fourths of those who used alcohol and marijuana reported that they used them simultaneously on at least 1 occasion in the past year, and half used them simultaneously on at least 1 occasion in the past month; the average student with SAM use did so approximately 2 to 3 days a month. Because simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana represents a drug interaction and can result in excessive depression of the central nervous system (Seamon et al., ) and more negative consequences than using either alone (Yurasek et al., ), SAM use poses a potential risk for increased harm to students who engage in it. Thus, a large majority of students in this sample may be at risk for serious harm, and prevention/intervention efforts that seek to reduce or eliminate simultaneous use of substances could impact student health on college campuses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concurrent use refers to the use of 2 substances in the same time period (e.g., past month, past year), potentially on separate occasions, whereas simultaneous use refers to the use of 2 substances at the same time or during the same occasion (Earleywine and Newcomb, ; Ives and Ghelani, ; Martin et al., ; McCabe et al., ; Midanik et al., ). Simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use can have more serious negative consequences than using either substance alone (for a review, see Yurasek et al., ). These include driving under the influence and having alcohol‐related accidents (Arterberry et al., ; Chihuri et al., ; Lipperman‐Kreda et al., ; Terry‐McElrath et al., ), cognitive impairment (Mallett et al., ), and substance use disorder symptomatology (Agrawal et al., ; Mallett et al., ; Midanik et al., ; Subbaraman and Kerr, ).…”

Section: Normative Influences On Substance Usementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College Students: Patterns, Correlates, Norms, and Consequences

White

Kilmer

Fossos-Wong

et al. 2019

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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Background: Alcohol and marijuana users often engage in simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use (i.e., using the 2 substances together so that their effects overlap), which can result in more negative consequences than using either substance alone. Nevertheless, little is known about SAM use among contemporary college students to aid in the development of preventive interventions. This study examined SAM use patterns, demographic correlates of SAM use, and normative influences on SAM use and related negative consequences among college students.Methods: Students who had used alcohol and marijuana in the past year were recruited from 3 state universities in states with different laws regarding recreational marijuana use (N = 1,389). They completed an online survey, which assessed their own alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use and related consequences, their perceptions of the proportion of same-gender peers and close friends who engaged in SAM use, marijuana access, and demographic characteristics.Results: About three-fourths of participants reported at least 1 occasion of SAM use in the past year with an average frequency of twice per month among SAM users. There were significant differences in SAM use prevalence and frequency by sociodemographic characteristics controlling for pastyear alcohol and marijuana frequency. Students in a state with decriminalized recreational marijuana use reported higher frequency of past-year SAM use than students in states with legalized or criminalized use. There were significant demographic differences in perceived norms regarding SAM use among close friends and same-gender peers. SAM users endorsed significantly higher perceived peer and friend norms than nonusers. Also, higher perceived norms predicted more frequent SAM use and more negative consequences of use.Conclusions: Results indicate a need for prevention programs on college campuses that address SAM use. Interventions that use personalized normative feedback may be effective.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Normative Influences On Substance Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Simultaneous Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College Students: Patterns, Correlates, Norms, and Consequences

White

Kilmer

Fossos-Wong

et al. 2019

Alcoholism Clin & Exp Res

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“…Clinically, the results do suggest that heavy cannabis use should be avoided during AUD treatment to avoid potential exacerbation of physical consequences; however, more research is needed to recommend a specific threshold at which alcohol treatment outcomes are not exacerbated by cannabis use. Furthermore, the co-use of cannabis and alcohol may hinder intervention on both substances, yet few studies have explored how to treat or reduce co-use as opposed to treating each substance alone (Yurasek et al, 2017). Clinical studies of alcohol and tobacco co-use show that interventions can reduce the use of both effectively (Cooney et al, 2015; Kahler et al, 2008; O'Malley et al, 2009) and that cannabis users benefit from interventions targeting smoking cessation and drinking outcomes (Hendricks et al, 2012; Metrik et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabis use during alcohol treatment is associated with alcohol-related problems one-year post-treatment

Subbaraman

Metrik

Patterson

et al. 2018

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background: Prior research shows that cannabis use during treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) is related to fewer abstinent days from alcohol, although only among those who use cannabis 1–2x/month. Here we extend prior research by assessing the relationship between the frequency of cannabis use during AUD treatment and post-treatment alcohol-related consequences. Methods: Data come from the Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions (COMBINE) Study, a large US randomized control trial of treatments for AUD. The current analyses include 206 cannabis users and 999 cannabis abstainers and compare longitudinal drinking data between those who used cannabis versus those who abstained during COMBINE treatment. The primary exposure was quartiles of cannabis use (Q1: less than 1x/month during treatment, Q2: 1–2x/month, Q3: 4–8x/month, Q4: 12x/month or more), with cannabis abstainers as the reference group. Outcomes were alcohol-related problems at the end of treatment and one-year post-treatment as measured by the Drinker Inventory Consequences. Results: Compared to cannabis abstinence, the most frequent use during treatment was related to 1.44 times as many physical consequences one-year post-treatment. Cannabis use was not related to physical consequences immediately after treatment, or to intrapersonal, interpersonal, social responsibility or impulse control problems at either post-treatment time point. Conclusions: In a sample of individuals in treatment for AUD, using cannabis 12x/month or more during treatment is associated with increased rates of physical consequences attributed to alcohol use. Individuals in treatment for AUD who also use cannabis might benefit from reducing or stopping cannabis use to avoid alcohol-related physical problems.

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“…The emergence of state‐level approval of cannabis for both medical and recreational use is likely to increase the already prevalent co‐use of alcohol and cannabis (Yurasek et al., ) and raise many important health and social concerns (National Academies of Sciences, ). Cannabis research has lagged behind that of alcohol research, but important studies are emerging on the interactions between alcohol and cannabinoids.…”

Section: Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%