Daily fluctuations in drinking intensity: Links with vaping and combustible use of nicotine and marijuana

Vaping-specific nicotine dependence across days among a national sample of US young adults who vape

INTRODUCTION

Vaping has increased among young adults (YAs), and nicotine dependence prevalence has increased among YAs who vape (YAV), in the U.S. Research on nicotine dependence symptoms (NDS) among YAV remains limited, and accurately measuring NDS and their severity remains a challenge. To date, no research has considered day-to-day NDS, as previous research focuses on retrospective measures.

METHODS

Daily data came from the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Vaping Supplement; out of 1,244 YAs, we analyzed data from 150 (Mage=19 (SE=0.44); 71.2% non-Hispanic white; 57.8% male) who vaped nicotine at least once during 14 daily surveys (n=882 nicotine vaping days). The vaping-specific Hooked on Nicotine Checklist measured NDS on nicotine vaping days. Dichotomous and count measures of NDS were used at the day and aggregated to the person level. Descriptive analyses and multilevel regression models were estimated. Weights ensured generalizability and adjusted for attrition.

RESULTS

Any NDS were reported on 64.5% of nicotine vaping days (average 1.93 symptoms); 43.3% of nicotine vaping days had more than 1 NDS. Results across persons (rather than days) showed any NDS on 53.8% of nicotine vaping days, and 45.4% YAs reported between 1 and 2 symptoms per vaping day; 23.3% reported 2+ symptoms on average. Multilevel models showed nontrivial variance across days and persons in NDS, and regular vaping at baseline predicted NDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaping-specific NDS varied across days and persons for any NDS and NDS severity. Future research should consider daily NDS fluctuations, identifying factors that confer risk to inform NDS prevention and treatment among YAV.

IMPLICATIONS

NDS and its severity varied across days and persons, demonstrating the utility of daily data. The results were generally similar for experiencing any NDS and for NDS severity, but there was slightly more variability across days for any NDS. Intervention and treatment strategies could utilize approaches that identify and address daily symptoms to help curb nicotine dependence. Future research and treatment efforts should also consider the immediate contexts and potential factors that explain particularly elevated NDS on a given day.

Day-level correlates of nicotine and cannabis vaping among young adults in the United States

Over the past two decades, vaping has increased in popularity among young adults. Yet, little is known about the daily activities or contexts associated with vaping behavior. The current study examined whether nicotine vaping, cannabis vaping, and dual-substance vaping (i.e., vaping both nicotine and cannabis) fluctuated in tandem with alcohol use and activities on a given day. Data came from the Monitoring the Future Vaping Supplement, a national sample of U.S. young adults. A subsample of people who vaped (N = 330 people) completed up to 14 daily surveys (N = 3686 days). Multilevel logistic regressions separated within- and between-person characteristics and controlled for combustible nicotine and cannabis use, day of the week, and demographic characteristics. Weights accounted for the complex survey design and attrition. Results demonstrated that nicotine vaping was more common on days when participants drank moderately or binge drank (compared to not drinking), used cigarettes, and spent more time at bars and parties than usual. Cannabis vaping on a given day was more likely on days when young adults drank moderately and spent more time at bars/parties. Likewise, moderate drinking, spending more time at bars/parties than usual, and spending less time on schoolwork than usual was associated with a higher likelihood of dual-substance vaping on a given day. Our findings highlight when young adults vape nicotine and cannabis, while also identifying proximal correlates of these behaviors to inform intervention and cessation efforts.

Disaggregating within- and between-person effects of affect on drinking behavior in a clinical sample with alcohol use disorder

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the current study was to better understand affect-drinking relations among those diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), as recent meta-analytic work suggests that daily negative affect may not universally predict subsequent alcohol consumption in those nondependent on alcohol. Specifically, we investigated the between- and within-person effects of positive and negative affects on drinking.

METHOD

Participants (n = 92) who met AUD diagnostic criteria completed a 90-day daily assessment of drinking behavior and positive and negative affects.

RESULTS

Time-lagged multilevel modeling revealed that within-person elevations in negative affect predicted increased odds and quantity of drinking later in the day. Relations between positive affect and drinking were nonsignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are in contrast to recent meta-analytic findings and highlight the complexity of affect-drinking relations among those diagnosed with AUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Expectancies for and Pleasure from Simultaneous Alcohol and E-Cigarette Use among Young Adults

Background: Young adults' use of alcohol and e-cigarettes are of public health concern, as they report among the highest prevalence for use of both substances. Many young adults use alcohol and e-cigarettes simultaneously (i.e., at the same time with overlapping effects) despite heightened risk for adverse effects. Objectives: This study assessed simultaneous use expectancies and changes in pleasure from e-cigarettes as a function of alcohol consumption and simultaneous use frequency. Participants (N = 408; Mage = 23.64 years; 52.7% female) recruited through Amazon MTurk completed measures of alcohol and e-cigarette use, and expectancies, pleasure and frequency of simultaneous use. Results: Separate linear regression models revealed that alcohol consumption was positively associated with expectancies for simultaneous use of e-cigarettes/alcohol and pleasure from simultaneous use (ps ≤ .015). As individuals engaged in simultaneous use more frequently, they also reported greater expectancies for, and increased pleasure from, simultaneous use (ps < .001). Conclusions/Importance: Expectancies for simultaneous use may be greatest among young adults who consume more alcohol and engage in simultaneous use more frequently. Increased pleasure from e-cigarettes while drinking suggests that positive reinforcement may be implicated in simultaneous use patterns. Future research should examine the role of pleasure in simultaneous use trajectories.