Cannabis use and alcohol-related outcomes among sober living house residents with alcohol use disorders

Evidence supporting cannabis substitution along with liberalized cannabis laws have left recovery homes such as sober living houses (SLHs) in a difficult position regarding policies relating to cannabis use among SLH residents. Moreover, there are few studies of cannabis use among SLH residents that can be used to inform cannabis use policies. Here we assess whether cannabis is related to alcohol use among SLH residents.

Data came from N = 205 SLH residents entering 28 SLHs in Los Angeles from 2021 to 2023. Interviews were at baseline and one-, two-, three-, and six-month follow-ups. All participants reported lifetime alcohol use disorder (AUD). The primary predictor was any past 30-day cannabis use. Past 30-day outcomes were any drinking, number of drinking days, and any alcohol problems. Longitudinal generalized estimating equation models tested associations between any past-30-day cannabis use and outcomes, adjusting for demographics, treatment, 12-step attendance, social network use, baseline drug use, and AUD severity.

After adjustment for demographics and covariates, any past-30-day cannabis use was related to 7.02 times higher odds of any past 30-day drinking (OR=7.02, 95 % CI: 3.06, 16.12), 2.03 times more drinking days (IRR=2.03, 95 % CI: 1.01, 4.08), and 3.21 times higher odds of any past-30-day alcohol problems (OR=3.21, 95 % CI: 1.68, 6.14) vs. no past-30-day cannabis use.

Cannabis use is positively correlated with alcohol use and related problems in a sample of sober living house residents in Los Angeles.