Behavior/Humans

Cheap Booze and Marijuana Use Connected

In 46 % of the cases

By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor

27th of July 2007, 12:31 GMT

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One vice never comes alone. And young adults do not have many financial resources. That's why the finding of a team at the University of Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) may not be a surprise: consumption of malt liquor, the cheap, high-alcohol beverage often marketed to teens, expose young adults to a higher risk for alcohol problems and illicit drugs consume, especially marijuana.

"In our study of young adults who regularly drink malt liquor, we found that malt liquor use is significantly related to reports of alcohol

problems, problems specific to the use of malt liquor and to marijuana use above and beyond typical alcohol use," said lead researcher R. Lorraine Collins, senior research at RIA, Collins and professor in the Department of Psychology, UB College of Arts and Sciences.

The research was made on a pool of 639 young adults (456 men) of about 23 years of age who regularly drank 40 ounces (1.2 l) or more of malt liquor weekly. The subjects were heavy drinkers, consuming on average 30 alcoholic drinks, including 17 malt liquor drinks, weekly.

In addition to malt liquor consumption, marijuana was the preferred illicit drug, with 46 % of the subjects reporting the use of both (malt liquor and marijuana) simultaneously.

These subjects smoked 19 marijuana joints, on average, per week, whereas those who did not use the two together smoked on average two marijuana joints per week. Only a few subjects reported regular consume of other illicit drugs.

Those consuming malt liquor and marijuana simultaneously drank alcohol for the first time earlier in life (between 13 and 14 years) and reported higher substance use (particularly marijuana) and more alcohol-related issues than those who did not combine the two.

61% of the subjects drank one to two 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor on a typical drinking session. Because malt liquor has higher alcohol content (6-11 %), this would be the equivalent of 3.5 to 14 standard drinks.

"These results suggest that regular consumption of malt liquor, beyond that associated with typical alcohol use, may place young adults at increased risk for substance abuse problems. Although many of these young people may not yet meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence, there is clearly a need for prevention strategies targeted to their patterns of drinking and particularly excessive drinking of malt liquor.", said Collins.

TAGS:

marijuana | alcohol | drug

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