A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that heavy cannabis users experience a drop in relationship satisfaction when combining cannabis with alcohol, while light users did not show significant changes. The study aimed to fill the gap in research on cannabis use in relationships by examining daily cannabis use within couples.
Researchers used a dyadic diary method, where both partners kept individual records over 14 days, capturing daily fluctuations in cannabis and alcohol use and relationship satisfaction. The findings suggest that substance use patterns can impact relationship dynamics.
Heavy cannabis users who combined it with alcohol experienced decreased next-day relationship satisfaction compared to those using alcohol alone. In contrast, individuals with lighter cannabis use did not show significant changes in their relationship satisfaction regardless of their substance use.
The study highlights the importance of considering daily routines and lifestyle factors that contribute to relationship health. Margy Yumeng Chen, a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder, aims to explore specific motives for using substances and how they impact relationship outcomes.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/cannabis-and-alcohol-use-patterns-linked-to-couples-relationship-quality/