title: Young-adult malt liquor drinkers: prediction of alcohol problems and marijuana use.
abstract: Malt liquor (ML) is a cheap, high alcohol content beverage that is marketed to appeal to young adults. Findings from the few published studies of ML use suggest that it may be associated with excessive drinking, alcohol problems, and the use of illicit drugs. The authors conducted separate hierarchical multiple regressions to examine the role of ML use and psychosocial variables (e.g., personality, ML motives) in alcohol-related problems and marijuana use. Demographic characteristics served as controls. The sample consisted of 639 (456 men, 183 women) young adults (M = 22.9 years, SD = 4.2) who regularly (> or =40 oz/week) consumed ML. ML use significantly and positively predicted alcohol problems, ML-specific problems, and marijuana use, above and beyond their associations with typical alcohol use. Marijuana was the illicit drug of choice, and 46% reported concurrent use of marijuana and ML. Those who concurrently used ML and marijuana began drinking at a younger age and reported more substance use (particularly marijuana) and more alcohol-related problems than did non-concurrent users. These results suggest that ML use may represent a risk for alcohol problems and marijuana use.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA. collins@ria.buffalo.edu
authors.forename: R Lorraine
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Clara M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bradizza
authors.forename: Paula C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities