Longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use among US young adults: Correlates and implications for problematic health outcomes

Authors

Katelyn F. Romm, TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, Univeristy of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: katelyn-romm@ouhsc.edu.
Craig T. Dearfield, Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-1-2024

Journal

Addictive behaviors

Volume

158

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108123

Keywords

Alcohol; Cannabis; Co-use; Depressive/anxiety symptoms; Substance use problems; Young adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol and cannabis use are common during young adulthood. Less is known regarding correlates of alcohol-cannabis use patterns and related problematic health outcomes. METHODS: Using longitudinal survey data (Fall 2018, 2019, 2020) from 2,194 young adults (YAs; ages 18-34), bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions examined: (1) Wave 1 (W1) sociodemographics and psychosocial factors (i.e., adverse childhood experiences [ACEs], depressive symptoms, personality traits, parent and peer alcohol and cannabis use) in relation to W3 past-month use group (i.e., use of neither, alcohol only, cannabis only, both/co-use); and (2) W3 use group in relation to W5 problematic alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test), problematic cannabis use (Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test), and depressive/anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire - 4 item). RESULTS: Overall, 42.3% reported W3 alcohol-only use, 34.9% co-use, 17.8% no use, and 5.0% cannabis-only use. Those reporting W3 co-use reported greater W1 extraversion, openness, friend alcohol/cannabis use, and were more likely to report parent cannabis use (vs. no use); reported less conscientiousness, greater friend cannabis use, and were more likely to report depressive symptoms and parent cannabis use (vs. alcohol-only use); and reported greater friend alcohol use, and were more likely to report parent alcohol use (vs. cannabis-only use). W3 co-use was associated with higher odds of W5 problematic alcohol use (vs. alcohol-only use) and problematic cannabis use (vs. cannabis-only use). CONCLUSIONS: Substance use messaging and interventions should consider YAs' alcohol-cannabis co-use and the unique correlates of such use.

APA Citation

Romm, Katelyn F.; Dearfield, Craig T.; and Berg, Carla J., "Longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use among US young adults: Correlates and implications for problematic health outcomes" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5400.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5400

Department

Prevention and Community Health