Among nearly 3,000 diverse emerging adults followed from age 18 to 23, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial individuals experienced worse functional outcomes (more consequences, lower life satisfaction, less education) at the same levels of alcohol and cannabis use as White peers.
Public health professionals, policymakers, addiction researchers, and health equity advocates.
Same substance use levels, worse outcomes for racial/ethnic minorities
What the researchers found
Greater frequency and increased frequency of alcohol and cannabis use were associated with poorer outcomes across groups. However, at the same levels of use, Hispanic EAs had poorer physical health; Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial EAs reported greater alcohol consequences and delinquency; Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial EAs had lower life satisfaction; and Hispanic and multiracial EAs were less likely to pursue education beyond high school.
Why it matters
Documenting that racial/ethnic minorities experience disproportionate harm at the same substance use levels highlights structural inequities that go beyond individual substance use behaviors.
The numbers in context
2,945 participants followed across 5 waves. Disparities observed across 8 functional outcomes at equivalent levels of substance use. Hispanic and Asian groups had less initial substance use but worse outcomes per unit of use.
How the study worked
Web-based surveys across five waves from mean age 18.3 to 22.6. N=2,945 (55% female, 46% Hispanic, 23% Asian, 23% White, 6% multiracial/other, 2% Black). Growth models examined substance use trajectories and disparities in functioning.
What this study cannot tell us
Cannot identify specific mechanisms driving disparities. Some racial/ethnic groups had small sample sizes (Black: 2%). Self-reported outcomes. Southern California sample. Alcohol and cannabis analyzed together, not separately.
How to read the evidence
Large diverse longitudinal cohort with repeated measures, strengthened by within-level substance use comparisons.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
These disparities likely reflect systemic factors such as discrimination, differential access to healthcare, policing disparities, and socioeconomic inequality that amplify the negative effects of substance use for minority groups.
Questions still open
- What specific mechanisms drive worse outcomes at equivalent use levels? Would culturally tailored interventions reduce these disparities? Should cannabis policy consider differential impact by race/ethnicity?
Common questions
Do all racial/ethnic groups experience the same consequences from cannabis and alcohol use?
Why might minorities experience worse outcomes at the same use levels?
Read the original research
Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 234, 109426
Citation
D'Amico, Elizabeth J; Rodriguez, Anthony; Tucker, Joan S; Dunbar, Michael S; Pedersen, Eric R; Seelam, Rachana. (2022). Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 234, 109426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109426
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