SIMULTANEOUS ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE: ASSOCIATIONS WITH ALCOHOL CONSEQUENCES AMONG AT-RISK YOUTH

Emerging research has examined simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM). SAM use has been found to be associated with heavier substance use and adverse consequences. However, research so far has not focused on younger at-risk youth, or accounted for race and ethnicity as influencing SAM use or associated consequences. This study examined SAM use and alcohol-related consequences and risky behaviors in a diverse (N=576; 54% White, 24.7% Hispanic, 12.7% Black) sample of at-risk youth (9-18 years old) recruited from juvenile detention and community mental health centers. SAM use was more prevalent than alcohol or marijuana use alone in these settings. Analyses compared SAM and alcohol-only users (n =106) on alcohol-related consequences and risky behaviors. Among White youth, SAM users were found to have significantly higher odds of experiencing alcohol-related injuries and riding in a car with a drunk driver. Overall, SAM use was associated with more instances of binge drinking than alcohol-only users. Findings indicate need for treatments to consider SAM use in these settings and for more research to explore differences in the relationship between SAM use and consequences across ethnic or racial groups