NIDA warns of simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use

Recent studies have found that simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use (SAM) results in more negative consequences than sequential use of both substances, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported last week. In addition, college students who used both substances sequentially had more negative consequences than those who used alcohol only. In another study, young adults drank more alcohol on days when they also used marijuana than on days when they only drank alcohol. Finally, young adults reported more harms on days when they used both substances than on days when they used only one or the other. The combination of the pervasive use of alcohol in this age group and the widespread legalization of marijuana creates the need to look at SAM and associated negative consequences. Negative consequences included blackouts, vomiting, risky behavior, driving under the influence and physical dependence. There were also cognitive, academic, social and self‐care effects.