Risk Factors for Same-Day Co-Use of Alcohol and Marijuana: An Examination of General and Sexual and Gender Minority Specific Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND

Sexual and gender minority individuals (SGM) are more likely to engage in co-use of alcohol and marijuana on the same day (CAM) than heterosexual, cisgender individuals. CAM has been linked with experiencing more consequences of substance use, and research with the general population has identified several risk factors for CAM at the daily level (e.g., social and enhancement motives; social use). However, risk factors for CAM have not been examined among SGM, making it unclear if risk factors from the general population apply to SGM and which unique risk factors for substance use among SGM (i.e., minority stress, using substances with other SGM) apply to CAM at the daily level.

METHODS

The current study aimed to address these gaps by examining daily associations between risk factors for CAM from the general population, unique risk factors for SGM, and CAM in a sample of sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth.

RESULTS

When participants reported social motives for marijuana or using marijuana in social settings, they were more likely to engage in CAM. When enacted stigma was experienced, participants were less likely to engage in CAM compared to using marijuana only. Further, using alcohol or marijuana with SGM was associated with an elevated likelihood of CAM.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that some risk factors identified in the general population apply to SGM (i.e., social motives, social marijuana use), while others do not (i.e., enhancement motives). Results identified one unique risk factor for CAM among SGM, using alcohol or marijuana with other SGM.