What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction.

Cannabis may feel helpful—but could complicate efforts to drink less

Q: What did this research study find?

Momentary *cannabis* use was associated with **higher odds of concurrent drinking** (OR = **2.39**).

Q: Where was this research published?

Published in Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors on July 30, 2026.

Momentary cannabis effects on alcohol use among adults trying to quit or cut back on drinking.

Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors • July 30, 2026 • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This study examined whether cannabis helps or hinders people who are trying to quit or reduce drinking. 58 adults who used cannabis at least three times per week completed multiple daily surveys over 21 days, reporting cannabis use, alcohol use, craving, and their confidence and motivation to meet alcohol-related goals.

The results were mixed but generally pointed toward cannabis as an obstacle to reducing alcohol use. After using cannabis, participants reported somewhat greater subsequent confidence and motivation to reduce drinking, yet cannabis use was also linked to higher odds of drinking at the same time. On days when cannabis was used more frequently, participants reported lower confidence and motivation. These findings suggest that people may perceive cannabis as supporting their efforts to drink less, while their momentary behavior and experiences indicate that cannabis could make reducing alcohol consumption more difficult.

💡 Key Findings

Momentary cannabis use was associated with higher odds of concurrent drinking (OR = 2.39).

Good

70%

After using cannabis, participants reported increased subsequent alcohol-goal self-efficacy and motivation, suggesting they may feel more capable of reducing drinking.

Good

65%

More frequent cannabis use during a day was linked to lower same-day confidence and motivation to reduce alcohol use.

Good

70%

Overall, the findings support the conclusion that cannabis may be an obstacle rather than a harm-reduction strategy for adults trying to quit or cut back on drinking.

Good

70%

📄 Original Abstract

Many individuals who couse alcohol and cannabis endorse using cannabis to drink less alcohol. However, cannabis use during or after alcohol treatment predicts worse alcohol outcomes. Examining whether cannabis use affects alcohol use, craving, and related cognitions within person will help clarify this discrepancy and inform treatment. We tested competing hypotheses in individuals' daily lives: cannabis as harm reduction (predicting decreased alcohol use/craving and increased alcohol-goal self-efficacy/motivation) versus cannabis as an obstacle to reducing alcohol consumption (predicting the opposite pattern). We recruited N = 58 adults who used cannabis ≥3x/week and were in/seeking treatment or trying to quit or cut down on drinking (Mage = 27.3 years, 60% female, 72% non-Hispanic white). Participants completed ecological momentary assessment with 5+ daily reports for 21 days. Every momentary survey assessed self-reported cannabis use and quantity, alcohol use, alcohol craving, alcohol-goal self-efficacy, and alcohol-goal motivation. Multilevel models demonstrated that momentary cannabis use predicted increased subsequent alcohol self-efficacy (b = 0.11, SE = 0.13, p < .001) and motivation (b = 0.06, SE = 0.03, p = .031) but increased odds of concurrent drinking (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = [1.58, 3.61], p < .001). In addition, more frequent cannabis use on a given day predicted lower same-day self-efficacy (b = -0.34, SE = 0.13, p = .008) and motivation (b = -0.28, SE = 0.12, p = .019). Adults who are trying to quit or cut back on drinking might perceive that cannabis use supports alcohol reduction efforts. Instead, cannabis use appears to be an obstacle to reducing drinking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).