Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2016
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2016 The Washington Post Company
Contact:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Linda Searing

MARIJUANA USE MAY LEAD TO PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL

THE QUESTION The factors that drive people to abuse alcohol vary from 
person to person. Genetics, psychological issues and lifestyle 
factors can all play a role. Might marijuana use be one of those factors?

THIS STUDY analyzed data on 29,582 adults. None had an alcohol 
problem before the first time they used marijuana. At the start of 
the study, 1 percent of those who had no alcohol-related issues had 
used marijuana; 22 percent of those who did have an alcohol problem, 
such as abuse, dependence or addiction, had used marijuana. Over the 
next three years, people who had no alcohol issues at the start were 
more than five times as likely to develop an alcohol problem if they 
used marijuana in those years as were those who avoided marijuana. 
Those who started the study with alcohol issues were more likely to 
be in recovery if they did not use marijuana in those three years 
than were people who did use the drug.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Adults who use or are considering using 
marijuana. Recent studies have found that about 1 in 10 adults in the 
United States use marijuana. The drug, which is legal in a few 
jurisdictions, can be smoked or added to food. Marijuana produces 
varied reactions; some users feel relaxed, silly, happy or sleepy, 
while others feel nervous or afraid. Use of the drug can cloud 
thinking and affect memory, at least in the short term. Some people 
find it addictive.

CAVEATS Information on marijuana and alcohol use came from the 
participants, which the study's authors said "may have led to 
underreporting of substance use, especially for illegal substances." 
Data on frequency of use was not available.

FIND THIS STUDY Feb. 11 online issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence 
(drug and alcohol dependence. com; click "Articles & Issues," then 
"Articles in Press").

LEARN MORE ABOUT marijuana at drugabuse.gov (search for "drug facts 
marijuana") and my.clevelandclinic.org (search for "marijuana").
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom