Factors associated with simultaneous or concurrent use of Alcohol and Marijuana in a sample of Argentinean citizens

AGUSTÍN SALGUERO; ANGELINA PILATTI; YANINA MICHELINI; GABRIELA RIVAROLA MONTEJANO ; RICARDO PAUTASSI

SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE

TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

Año: 2022 vol. 57 p. 1062 - 1071

1082-6084

Background: I The identification of factors promoting simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use is essential to promote early intervention efforts. The associations between impulsivity facets and alcohol or marijuana outcomes have been extensively analyzed yet the association between those facets and SAM (or concurrent alcohol and marijuana, CAM) use is still unexplored. This study assessed if internalizing symptoms, five impulsivity dimensions and emotional regulation strategies differentiate between participants who reported last 2-month SAM use, CAM use, alcohol or marijuana only use, or that reported no substance use. Methods: A sample of 1057 Argentinian citizens answered an online survey. A multinominal logistic regression was conducted on drug use membership. Results: Circa 25% of the sample reported SAM use. Higher sensation seeking differentiated between SAM use vs. no substance use, and those with lower sensation seeking were more likely to be classified into the alcohol only group or into the non-use group, than into the SAM use group. Stress scores uniquely predicted membership into the alcohol only category. Those with lower use of emotional suppression were more likely than non-users to be classified in all drug use categories, except CAM use. Higher emotional suppression scores were associated with membership into the non-use group or the alcohol only group, when compared to the SAM use group. Hazardous drinking was significantly greater in SAM than in alcohol only users. Conclusions: the study highlights the relevance of sensation seeking as a predictor of SAM use and pinpoints emotional suppression as common factor modulating hazardous drug use behaviors.