Patterns of alcohol use and marijuana use among students at 2- and 4-year institutions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to understand substance use patterns of alcohol, marijuana, and simultaneous alcohol and marijuana (SAM) use among 2- and 4-year college students.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 526 young adults aged 18-23 (n = 355 4-year students; n = 171 2-year students) recruited from February 2015 to January 2016 who were participating in a larger longitudinal study.

METHODS: Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify past-month classes of alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use.

RESULTS: Among both 2- and 4-year students, a four-class solution yielded the best-fitting model, with 2-year classes tending to include greater marijuana use and less alcohol use and 4-year classes tending to include heavy alcohol use. Demographic characteristics were largely similar across classes.

CONCLUSIONS: Classes of alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use differed by education status. Screening and prevention efforts for 4-year students may need to be tailored for the needs of 2-year students.