Demographic trends of alcohol and marijuana co-use: examining age, gender, and race/ethnicity trends

Substance use and abuse are critical public health concerns affecting diverse communities. This study examined how demographic factors—particularly race/ethnicity, age, and gender—relate to co-occurring patterns of substance consumption, with particular attention to alcohol and marijuana use. We hypothesized that certain demographic factors, such as age, can be significant predictors of substance use patterns. Drawing on information gathered by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) spanning 2012 to 2022, we conducted statistical analyses to investigate our hypothesis. Our results indicate that young adults (18–25) show the highest prevalence of alcohol and marijuana co-use, with significant differences across gender and racial groups. Our logistic regression analysis also revealed significant demographic differences across groups. Individuals aged 26–34 and 35+ had significantly higher odds of substance use compared with adolescents. We also observed racial and ethnic differences, with White and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander respondents showing significantly higher odds of substance use compared with Asian respondents, who had the lowest prevalence. These findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention strategies for specific demographic groups.