Simultaneous Substance Use With Alcohol in a Community-Based Sample of Young Adults

Abstract

Objective: Simultaneous substance use is associated with worse outcomes than concurrent use. Further investigations into simultaneous use are warranted because there is limited knowledge about the co-use of substances other than alcohol and cannabis. Study aims were to examine: (1) the prevalence of simultaneous use of substances with alcohol, (2) the extent to which use patterns are related to key correlates (i.e., psychological functioning, sensation seeking), and (3) differences by college status. Methods: Participants were 623 young adult drinkers who were recruited online to complete a one-time survey. Results: Cannabis (54.3%), tobacco (53.7%), and stimulants (46.5%) were most frequently used with alcohol. Moderation analyses showed the positive association between simultaneous use and psychological distress was stronger for students whereas the positive association with sensation seeking was stronger for nonstudents. Conclusions: Results highlight the need for future research and intervention efforts that consider the link between simultaneous use and psychological wellbeing while acknowledging that educational attainment may differentially influence these factors.

Keywords:

• Simultaneous use
• alcohol
• college students
• nonstudents
• psychological distress
• sensation seeking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Cathy Lau-Barraco was supported by a Career Development Award (K01-AA018383) from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.