Challenging the "inoffensiveness" of regular cannabis use by its associations with other current risky substance use--a census of 20-year-old Swiss men

Abstract

3,537 men enrolling in 2007 for mandatory army recruitment procedures were assessed for the co-occurrence of risky licit substance use among risky cannabis users. Risky cannabis use was defined as at least twice weekly; risky alcohol use as 6+ drinks more than once/monthly, or more than 20 drinks per week; and risky tobacco use as daily smoking. Ninety-five percent of all risky cannabis users reported other risky use. They began using cannabis earlier than did non-risky users, but age of onset was unrelated to other risky substance use. A pressing public health issue among cannabis users stems from risky licit substance use warranting preventive efforts within this age group.

Keywords: Switzerland; co-occurring risky licit substance use; early onset; risky cannabis use.

Figure 1.

Interplay of risky substance use, odds ratios* for alternating dependent and independent variables. Odds ratios from logistic regressions, 95% confidence intervals in parenthesis; all coefficients were significant at p <0.001 except for the constant of model b) with p = 0.016: Model a) risky cannabis use: 13.62 (8.83–21.01), risky alcohol use: 2.52 (2.13–2.99), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.23 (0.20–0.26). Model b): risky cannabis use: 4.11 (2.72–6.21), risky tobacco use: 2.52 (2.13–2.99), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.90 (0.83–0.98). Model c) risky tobacco use: 13.62 (8.83–21.01), risky alcohol use: 4.11 (2.72–6.21), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.03 (0.02–0.04).

Figure 1.

Interplay of risky substance use, odds ratios* for alternating dependent and independent variables. Odds ratios from logistic regressions, 95% confidence intervals in parenthesis; all coefficients were significant at p <0.001 except for the constant of model b) with p = 0.016: Model a) risky cannabis use: 13.62 (8.83–21.01), risky alcohol use: 2.52 (2.13–2.99), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.23 (0.20–0.26). Model b): risky cannabis use: 4.11 (2.72–6.21), risky tobacco use: 2.52 (2.13–2.99), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.90 (0.83–0.98). Model c) risky tobacco use: 13.62 (8.83–21.01), risky alcohol use: 4.11 (2.72–6.21), interaction: 0.43 (0.26–0.71), constant: 0.03 (0.02–0.04).