Depressive Symptoms Linked to Increased Risk of Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Young Adults

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at the University of Washington has revealed a concerning correlation between depressive symptoms and increased substance use in young adults. A community sample of 778 young adults completed up to 33 monthly surveys over a 6-year period, from 2015 to 2021. The study found that depressive symptoms predicted both heavier drinking and heavier cannabis use, highlighting the risks of elevated depressive symptoms for young adults.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined within-person associations between depressive symptoms and substance use in a community sample of 778 young adults.
  • Depressive symptoms predicted lower odds of drinking alcohol on a given month, but if young adults did drink, then depressive symptoms predicted heavier drinking.
  • For cannabis, depressive symptoms predicted both greater odds of using cannabis and heavier use in that month.
  • Associations between depressive symptoms and alcohol/cannabis quantity indices were mediated by coping motives.
  • The study found that young adults with elevated depressive symptoms were at increased risk of substance use.
  • The research has significant implications for understanding the comorbid relationships between depression and substance use.

Statistics:

  • 778 young adults participated in the study, with a mean age of 21.1 years at baseline and a 56% female sample.
  • 82.7% of participants responded to all surveys, providing a high level of data quality.
  • The study spanned 6 years, from 2015 to 2021.
  • Zero-truncated regression was used to stratify associations with any use and amount of use on months that alcohol and cannabis were reported.
  • The study found that depressive symptoms predicted heavier drinking (mean 5.4 drinks per week) and heavier cannabis use (mean 3.2 hours high per week).

Sources:

  • Depressive Symptoms and Substance Use: Longitudinal Examination of Alcohol and Cannabis Coping Mechanisms in Young Adults. Prevention Science, 2025.