Age, sex, and race-varying rates of alcohol use, cannabis use, and alcohol and cannabis co-use in veterans vs. non-veterans. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waddell, Jack T.; Gress-Smith, Jenna.L.; Hartman, Jessica D.; Doran, Neal; Reed, Brandon
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 134(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Veteran -- Military -- Substance Use -- Alcohol -- Cannabis; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: Non-Veterans reported heavier substance use. However, being a veteran was a risk factor for heavier use in women. Being a veteran was also a risk factor for heavier use in ethnic/racial minorities. Several age-related differences were also observed for alcohol use. Preventive interventions should target women and ethnic/racial minority veterans. Abstract: Background: Military veterans are a high-risk group for health risk behaviors, including alcohol and cannabis use. However, research on veteran vs. non-veteran rates of alcohol/cannabis use are inconsistent across studies. Further, no research has investigated veteran vs. non-veteran rates of alcohol and cannabis co-use, and few studies have tested whether demographic variables, particularly race/ethnicity, moderate group differences. Therefore, the current study tested whether 1) veteran vs. non-veterans differed in rates of alcohol use, cannabis use, and alcohol and cannabis co-use, and 2) whether demographic covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity) moderated associations. Methods: Data on adults (N = 706, 897; 53.4% female) were derived from the 2002–2019 National Study on Drug Use and Health. Participant demographics, alcohol use frequency, drinking quantity, and cannabis use frequency were self-reported. Results: Non-veterans reported higher drinking quantity, cannabis frequency, and co-use. However, being a veteran was a risk factor for heavier drinking for women, ethnic/racial minoritized participants, and adults under the age of 50. Additionally, veteran status was a risk factor for cannabis use frequency in racial/ethnic minoritized participants and women. Similarly, being a veteran was a risk factor for alcohol and cannabis co-use for racial/ethnic minoritized participants, and the buffering effect of being a Veteran on co-use was reduced for older participants and women. Conclusions: Results suggest that, at the population level, non-veterans may be heavier alcohol/cannabis users. However, moderating analyses suggested that being a veteran is a risk factor for women, racial/ethnic minoritized individuals, and younger individuals. Findings are discussed in terms of public health implications.