Polysubstance use among young adults and differences in negative alcohol-related sexual experiences

This study aimed to compare negative alcohol-related sexual experiences among individuals who used (1) alcohol only, (2) alcohol plus marijuana, and (3) alcohol plus marijuana and stimulants. Participants in the analytic sample (N = 1,015; Mean age = 19.16 (SD = 0.79); 45.42% male) completed an online baseline survey as part of an intervention study. A hurdle negative binomial model examined the associations between poly -substance use and negative alcohol-related sexual experiences. Models examined if experiences varied by de-mographic factors. Compared to participants that only used alcohol, those who used alcohol plus marijuana and stimulants reported a higher likelihood and average number of negative alcohol-related sexual experiences in the past 3 months. Participants that used alcohol plus marijuana had a higher likelihood of having a negative alcohol-related sexual experience in the past 3 months compared to those who only used alcohol. These findings suggest the number and risk for negative alcohol-related sexual experiences increases with the number of sub-stances being used.

Automated summary

This study compared negative alcohol-related sexual experiences among individuals who used alcohol only, alcohol plus marijuana, and alcohol plus marijuana and stimulants. Participants using multiple substances reported a higher likelihood and average number of negative alcohol-related sexual experiences in the past 3 months. Those using alcohol plus marijuana had a higher likelihood of negative alcohol-related sexual experiences compared to those using alcohol only. These findings suggest an increase in the number and risk of negative alcohol-related sexual experiences with the use of multiple substances.