Me, myself, and high: precipitants of emerging adult solitary cannabis use

Objective Loneliness is associated with greater cannabis use cross-sectionally, yet much remains unknown about temporal, contextual associations of loneliness with cannabis use among high-risk populations like emerging adults. This momentary assessment study a) examined affective and socio-cognitive patterns of loneliness and cannabis use by social context (with particular attention to solitary use) and b) examined bidirectional associations of loneliness with solitary cannabis use across 15 days. Methods Momentary assessments were collected from 59 emerging adults who used cannabis alone at least twice weekly ( M age = 22.88, 59% female) for 15 days. Multilevel models were used to test bidirectional relationships of loneliness and negative social experiences with solitary cannabis use within-person, after accounting for between-person averages. Results Participants reported frequent, often more-than-daily solitary cannabis use, as well as frequent social use. Same-moment affective loneliness (OR = 1.02, p < .001), but not negative social experiences, was associated with higher odds of solitary cannabis use. Conversely, affective loneliness was higher ( B = 6.69, p < .001) in moments involving solitary use. Contrary to hypotheses, negative social experiences were less likely following moments of solitary use (IRR = 0.85, p = .045). Conclusions Solitary cannabis use occurs frequently, alongside frequent social use. Solitary use co-occurs alongside acute affective loneliness, though it does not seem either to exacerbate prior or precipitate future loneliness. Solitary use may serve as an initial form of social withdrawal given negative associations with subsequent negative social experiences. Loneliness may be a salient target for future cannabis use interventions.