Daily marijuana users with past alcohol problems drank 52% more during marijuana abstinence | Research

The takeaway

Among 28 daily marijuana users, those with a history of alcohol problems increased alcohol consumption by 52% during marijuana abstinence, while those without alcohol history showed no change.

Read this if you use marijuana daily and want to know whether stopping might affect your drinking.

52% alcohol increase during marijuana abstinence (in those with alcohol history)

What the researchers found

Twenty-eight daily marijuana users who were not trying to quit completed three phases: 8 days of normal use, 13 days of verified marijuana abstinence, and 7 days of return to normal use.

Overall, marijuana abstinence did not produce a significant increase in alcohol consumption. However, having a past diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence was a powerful moderator.

Participants with past alcohol problems increased alcohol consumption by 52% during marijuana abstinence. Those without alcohol history showed only a 3% increase. Increases in marijuana withdrawal discomfort and alcohol craving during abstinence both correlated with greater alcohol consumption.

No increases in cigarettes, caffeine, or other illicit drugs were observed during marijuana abstinence.

Why it matters

This was one of the first studies to provide empirical evidence for drug substitution among marijuana users, finding it occurred specifically in a subgroup with previous alcohol problems rather than universally.

The numbers in context

28 daily marijuana users. Past alcohol problems group: 52% alcohol increase during abstinence. No alcohol history group: 3% increase. No increases in cigarettes, caffeine, or other drugs.

How the study worked

Within-subjects prospective study of 28 daily marijuana users through three phases: 8-day baseline (normal use), 13-day marijuana abstinence (verified by urine testing twice weekly), and 7-day return-to-baseline. Daily self-report of all substance use.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample size (28 participants). Participants were not seeking treatment, so results may differ in clinical populations. Self-reported substance use aside from urine-verified marijuana abstinence.

How to read the evidence

Small prospective within-subjects study with verified abstinence but limited sample size.

When this study was published

Published in 2010. Research on substance substitution patterns has continued.

The bigger picture

The finding that drug substitution occurred only in a specific subgroup suggested that treatment programs should pay particular attention to alcohol use in marijuana users who have a history of alcohol problems.

Questions still open

Would this substitution pattern also appear in people seeking marijuana treatment? Does treating marijuana dependence require concurrent alcohol monitoring in at-risk individuals?

Common questions

Do people drink more when they stop using marijuana?

In this study, only people with a prior history of alcohol problems drank more during marijuana abstinence (52% increase). Those without alcohol history did not increase drinking.

Did people substitute other drugs for marijuana?

No. Only alcohol increased, and only in the subgroup with past alcohol problems. Cigarettes, caffeine, and other illicit drugs did not increase during marijuana abstinence.

Read the original research

Daily marijuana users with past alcohol problems increase alcohol consumption during marijuana abstinence.

Drug and alcohol dependence, 106(2-3), 111-8

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Peters, Erica N; Hughes, John R. (2010). Daily marijuana users with past alcohol problems increase alcohol consumption during marijuana abstinence.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 106(2-3), 111-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2009.07.027