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Objective: Cannabis use is increasing among college students and commonly co-occurs with anxiety symptoms in this age group. Interventions that reduce anxiety may also reduce cannabis use. Behavioral economic theory suggests that substance use reductions are most likely when there is an increase in substance-free reinforcement. This randomized pilot trial evaluated the efficacy of a brief motivational intervention (BMI) for cannabis supplemented by either a substance-free activity session (SFAS) or a relaxation training (RT) session for reducing cannabis use, problems, craving, and anxiety symptoms. Method: One hundred thirty-two college students (Mage = 19.9; 54% female; 67% White, 31% Black) who reported five or more past-month cannabis use days were randomized to: (a) assessment-only (AO); (b) BMI plus SFAS; or (c) BMI plus RT. Participants in the BMI conditions received two individual counselor-administered sessions plus a brief phone booster session. Outcomes were evaluated 1- and 6-months postintervention. Results: Relative to assessment, both BMI + SFAS and BMI + RT were associated with significant reductions in cannabis problems and craving at 1-month follow-up, and significant reductions in anxiety at 6-month follow-up. Relative to AO, BMI + RT was associated with significant reductions in cannabis use at 1-month follow-up. There were no differences between BMI conditions. Conclusions: This pilot trial was not adequately powered to conclusively evaluate relative efficacy but provides preliminary support for the short-term efficacy of both two-session interventions for reducing anxiety and cannabis-related risk among nontreatment seeking emerging adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on real-world patterns of substance use increasingly involves intensive longitudinal data (ILD) collection, requiring long assessment windows. The present study extends limited prior research examining event- and person-level influences on compliance and response consistency by investigating how these behaviors are sustained over time in an ILD study of alcohol and cannabis co-use in college students. Participants ( n = 316) completed two 28-day bursts of ILD comprising five daily surveys, which included a morning survey of prior-day drinking. We used linear mixed effects models in a multilevel interrupted time series framework to evaluate the associations of time and measurement burst with (a) noncompliance (count of missed surveys) and (b) response consistency (difference between same-day report of drinking and morning report of prior-day drinking). We observed that time was positively associated with noncompliance, with no discontinuity associated with measurement burst. The slope of time was more positive in the second burst. Neither time nor measurement burst were significantly associated with consistent reporting. However, survey nonresponse and consistency of responding appeared to be impacted by the same-day use of substances. Overall, compliance decreased while consistency was stable across the duration of a lengthy ILD protocol. Shorter assessment windows or adaptive prompting strategies may improve overall study compliance. Further work examining daily burden and context is needed to inform future ILD design. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (i.e., marijuana, [SAM], using alcohol and cannabis so effects overlap) is associated with increased consumption and consequences compared to single-substance use. SAM use prevalence is increasing, yet there is heterogeneity in use patterns among those engaging in SAM use, which may lead to differential consequences., Method: This study drew on daily data to characterize latent profiles of cannabis, alcohol, and SAM use patterns and to test class differences on related consequences after 3 months among college students engaging in SAM use (77.08% White, 51.67% female). Class indicators were 10 person-level substance use variables derived from repeated daily surveys., Results: Results yielded a three-class solution: Heavy Alcohol, Cannabis, and SAM (Heavy Use, n = 105); Heavy Alcohol-Light Cannabis ( n = 75); and Light Alcohol-Heavy Cannabis ( n = 60). There were significant person-level differences between classes on all substance use indicators (e.g., quantity and frequency of alcohol, cannabis, and SAM) but not sex or race/ethnicity. At 3-month follow-up, the Heavy Use class endorsed more SAM consequences than the other classes. The Heavy Use class did not differ on alcohol or cannabis consequences compared to the Heavy Alcohol-Light Cannabis or Light Alcohol-Heavy Cannabis classes, respectively. The Light Alcohol-Heavy Cannabis class endorsed the fewest alcohol consequences. The Heavy Alcohol-Light Cannabis class endorsed the fewest cannabis consequences., Conclusions: Findings highlight distinct patterns of co-use and their association with consequences at follow-up. Heavy alcohol or cannabis use was associated with consequences for that substance, but heavy use of only one substance was not indicative of SAM-specific consequences., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 Authors et al.)