Contextual influences on simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use in a predominately white sample of college students

Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis (i.e., marijuana [SAM]) use is highly prevalent among young adults and college students and associated with a number of negative consequences compared to single substance use. The current study examined socio-contextual factors (e.g., physical, situational, social) associated with SAM use versus cannabis-only versus alcohol-only use. Data were collected from college student SAM users (N = 313, 53% women, M age = 19.79; 74% White; 10% Hispanic/Latinx) who completed two bursts (28 days) of online repeated daily surveys (RDS). RDS were collected five times per day during both bursts (3 months apart). Results suggested that odds of being at home were greater for cannabis-only use compared to SAM and SAM compared to alcohol-only use. Odds of being at a friend's place were greater for SAM compared to alcohol-only and cannabis-only use. Odds of being at a party were greater for SAM compared to alcohol-only use and odds of being at a bar or restaurant were greater for alcohol-only compared to SAM use. Results also suggested that odds of having more people in a location consistently were greater for SAM compared to cannabis-only use, and alcohol-only compared to cannabis-only use. Physical and social contexts (parties, friend's homes, and being around more people) are significantly associated with SAM use occasions. These findings are well-aligned with a social-ecological framework and suggest intervention and prevention efforts should take a comprehensive approach to reduce harms associated with SAM use. Future work is needed to examine these associations in diverse samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).