Planned versus unplanned alcohol and cannabis use: Motivational and contextual correlates among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals.

Abstract

Background: Unplanned alcohol use has been theorized to contribute to experiencing more consequences at the daily level, and several risk factors have been identified in the general population. However, it remaines unclear whether these risk factors apply to sexual and gender minorities (SGM); if unique risk factors for substance use among SGM (e.g., microaggressions) are associated with elevated risk for unplanned alcohol or cannabis use; and if risk factors for unplanned drinking also apply to unplanned cannabis use.

Methods: We aimed to address these gaps by examining differences between planned and unplanned alcohol and cannabis use in motives, contexts of use, and SGM-specific factors at the daily level among 380 sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth using daily diary data.

Results: Although unplanned alcohol and cannabis use were associated with lighter use, unplanned cannabis use was associated with more consequences. Social and enhancement motives and drinking with other SGM were linked to a lower likelihood of unplanned alcohol use, while conformity motives were associated with a higher likelihood of unplanned alcohol use. Microaggressions and coping motives were not associated with unplanned alcohol or cannabis use.

Conclusions: Results demonstrated differences in motivational and contextual factors associated with unplanned alcohol compared to cannabis use and identified one SGM-specific correlate. Future research should continue to explore factors that contribute to unplanned cannabis use days being associated with more consequences even in the absence of heavier use on unplanned days.