Population‐level patterns and mental health and substance use correlates of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and co‐use in US young adults and adults: Results from the population assessment for tobacco and health

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to examine patterns of substance use and co-use among young adults and older adults in the United States. The study aims to identify the most common patterns of current alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and co-use, and to examine associations of mental health and substance use problems with each pattern. The study also focuses on the differences in patterns of substance use and co-use between young adults and older adults.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PATH Study, a nationally representative cohort study of adults and youth in the United States.
* The study identifies the most common patterns of current alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and co-use among young adults and older adults.
* The study finds that alcohol-only use is the most popular use pattern among both young adults and older adults. However, poly-substance use patterns are more frequent than single use patterns.
* Cigarettes are the only tobacco product used exclusively, while all other tobacco products are used together, or with alcohol or marijuana.
* Mental health and substance use problems are most strongly correlated with dual and poly-substance use patterns, regardless of age.
* The study finds differences in patterns of substance use and co-use between young adults and older adults.
* The study highlights the importance of prevention and intervention campaigns focusing on multiple product use, as single substance use is uncommon.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the patterns and combinations of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and co-use among young adults and older adults. The study finds that alcohol is common in all patterns, suggesting it should also gain more focus in marijuana and tobacco prevention and intervention programs. The study also emphasizes the need for targeted and effective interventions and policies to improve public health outcomes associated with substance co-use. The differences in patterns of substance use and co-use between young adults and older adults suggest the need for further refinement of prevention and intervention strategies to appeal to different age groups.

Cohn, Amy M., Amanda L. Johnson, Shyanika W. Rose, Jennifer L. Pearson, Andrea C. Villanti, and Cassandra Stanton. “Population‐level Patterns and Mental Health and Substance Use Correlates of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Tobacco Use and Co‐use in US Young Adults and Adults: Results from the Population Assessment for Tobacco and Health.” The American Journal on Addictions 27, no. 6 (September 2018): 491–500. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12766.