Large longitudinal study finds racial/ethnic minorities experience worse outcomes from the same levels of alcohol and cannabis use
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Same substance use levels, worse outcomes for racial/ethnic minorities
- Evidence Grade:
- Large diverse longitudinal cohort with repeated measures, strengthened by within-level substance use comparisons.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 234, 109426 (2022)
- Authors:
- D'Amico, Elizabeth J(9), Rodriguez, Anthony(4), Tucker, Joan S(7), Dunbar, Michael S, Pedersen, Eric R, Seelam, Rachana
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03780
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do all racial/ethnic groups experience the same consequences from cannabis and alcohol use?
No. This study found that at the same levels of use, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial young adults experienced worse outcomes including more consequences, lower life satisfaction, and poorer health than White peers.
Why might minorities experience worse outcomes at the same use levels?
The researchers suggest structural factors like discrimination, differential policing, unequal access to healthcare, and socioeconomic disparities may amplify the negative effects of substance use for minority groups.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03780APA
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
MLA
D'Amico, Elizabeth J, et al. "Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of emerging adults.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109426
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Disparities in functioning from alcohol and cannabis use amo..." RTHC-03780. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/d-amico-2022-disparities-in-functioning-from
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.