Jennifer Attonito, PhD
Florida Atlantic University
Co-Authors: Karina Villalba, University of Central Florida
Background: Heavy alcohol use increases the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), contributing to significant personal, societal, and healthcare burdens. While evidence-based treatments exist, many individuals struggle with adherence or access. Emerging research suggests cannabis derivatives, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may help reduce alcohol consumption. However, cannabis use patterns among individuals at risk for AUD remain poorly understood, and further research is needed.
Objectives: This study examines cannabis use among Florida adults at risk for AUD, defined as women consuming ≥8 drinks per week or ≥4 per sitting and men consuming ≥15 drinks per week or ≥5 per sitting. We assess demographic and clinical characteristics, alcohol use severity, readiness to change, and history of cannabis use for alcohol dependence, including reported effectiveness and product preferences.
Methods: A total of 451 adults in Central Florida and Palm Beach County completed a Qualtrics survey. Participants provided demographic data and completed validated measures of alcohol use severity (AUDIT), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and readiness to change (RCQ-12). They also reported their history of using CBD or marijuana to reduce alcohol consumption, their perceived effectiveness, and their preferred CBD-to-THC ratios. Additionally, we assessed comorbid conditions commonly managed with cannabis, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, and chronic pain. Sex-based differences were analyzed across all collected variables.
Results: The sample had a mean age of 45.12 years (SD = 14.29); 47.7% were female, 16.9% Hispanic, 16.4% Black, and 96.9% had at least a high school diploma. The mean AUDIT score was 19.19 (SD = 11.47), with men scoring significantly higher (p < 0.001), indicating high risk for alcohol dependence. Men drank more weekly than women (21.54 vs. 16.61 drinks; SD = 11.5, 10.89) and were more likely to use CBD for alcohol dependence (59.7% vs. 45.5%). Among those who used CBD or marijuana, over half reported it as effective. The majority preferred equal CBD-to-THC ratios. Women had higher self-reported rates of anxiety (59.5% vs. 48.7%; p = 0.014), PTSD (34.4% vs. 22.5%; p = 0.003), and insomnia (50.7% vs. 37.3%; p = 0.003).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the severity of AUD among at-risk drinkers in Florida and the high prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions. A significant proportion reported using cannabis to manage alcohol dependency, with many perceiving it as effective. Future research should explore cannabis-based interventions as strategies for AUD treatment and assess their long-term effectiveness.