Past 30-day Binge Drinking Research Articles

Lingering Effects of Loss? Widowhood and Substance Use in the LGB Population

Little is known about widowhood's effects on externalizing expressions of distress, like substance use, among sexual minorities. Our study is the first to address this issue using a large national sample of LGB individuals living in the United States. Using the 2010 Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study ( n = 2,258), we ran logistic regression models predicting current smoking, past 30-day binge drinking, and past year drug use. Widowhood predicted higher odds of drug use. These results were found for currently partnered individuals, suggesting that widowhood's effects are not completely offset by current partnership. In contrast, widowhood did not predict smoking or binge drinking. All results held for women and men. Results suggest that LGB widowhood's effects on substance use vary by current partner status and substance type. These findings contrast with those of studies examining widowhood's effects on internalized expressions of distress, which consistently find detrimental effects.

The prevalence of adolescent problem gambling: examining sociodemographic risk factors in New Mexico

ABSTRACT Problem gambling in adolescence can lead to significant negative consequences, yet few studies have examined the prevalence and risk factors among diverse youth populations. This study investigated gambling and related non-gambling activities and sociodemographic correlates of problem gambling in 2,533 high-school students in New Mexico aged 12–18 years (mean age 15.6), with an approximately equal gender distribution (49.3% male, 49.3% female, 1.4% unspecified). Overall, 3% screened positive for problem gambling, with higher rates among males (3.9%) than females (2.1%), Native American (4.5%), and Hispanic (3.3%) versus white (1.5%) students. In-person activities were more common than online activities for both gambling and non-gambling activities. Substance use behaviors, including binge drinking, e-cigarette, marijuana, and prescription painkiller use, were more prevalent among people with gambling problems. Controlling for demographics, the interaction between Hispanic ethnicity and past 30-day binge drinking was positively associated with problem gambling. A risk score combining substance use and housing instability also positively predicted problem gambling. These findings demonstrate sociodemographic and substance use risk factors for problem gambling among New Mexico adolescents. The study highlights the importance of considering diverse ethnic backgrounds and co-occurring risk behaviors in developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies for adolescent problem gambling across various cultural contexts.

Binge Drinking Disparities by Grade, Race and Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity.

Binge drinking disparities between sexual and gender minority (SGM) students and their heterosexual, cisgender peers are well-established. Data limitations have precluded understandings of whether the onset and progression of these disparities differ by grade. Additionally, little is known about whether and how SGM-related binge drinking varies across groups of students coincidingly defined by sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI), race, and ethnicity. In the current study, we used a large, statewide sample of secondary school students in California to describe the prevalence of binge drinking among subgroups of adolescents at the intersections of grade, race and ethnicity, and SOGI. Data were from the 2017-2019 cycle of the California Healthy Kids Survey, one of the largest statewide cross-sectional surveys of secondary school students in the United States (n = 925 744). We described the grade-specific prevalence rates of past 30-day binge drinking by (1) grade level, (2) race and ethnicity, and (3) SOGI. Predicted probabilities estimated adjusted percentages of students' binge drinking by subgroups. SGM-related binge drinking differences were present early in secondary school. Several subgroups of SGM adolescents with minoritized racial and ethnic identities reported higher binge drinking rates relative to their same-grade, white, non-SGM peers. Prevention and intervention programs must consider developmentally- and culturally-informed strategies to most effectively promote health among minoritized students.

Association of Disability Status and Type With Binge Drinking and Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Adults From a 3-State Sample.

Research examining at-risk substance use by disability status is limited, with little investigation into differences by disability type. We investigated binge drinking and prescription opioid misuse among adults with and without disabilities, and by type of disability, to inform need for assessment and intervention within these populations. Secondary analyses of adults who completed the disability, alcohol, and prescription opioid misuse items in the 2018 Ohio, Florida, or Nebraska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (n = 28 341), the only states that included prescription opioid misuse in 2018. Self-reported disability status (yes/no) relied on 6 standardized questions assessing difficulties with: vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, self-care, and independent living (dichotomous, nonmutually exclusive, for each disability). Logistic regression models estimated the association of disability status and type with (1) past 30-day binge drinking and (2) past-year prescription opioid misuse. Additional models were restricted to separate subsamples of adults who: (a) currently drink, (b) received a past-year prescription opioid, and (c) did not receive a past-year prescription opioid. One-third reported at least one disability, with mobility (19.5%), cognitive (11.5%), and hearing (10.2%) disability being the most common. Disability status was associated with lower odds of binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.80, P ≤ .01). However, among adults who currently drink, people with disabilities had higher odds of binge drinking (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22, P ≤ .05]. Disability was associated with higher odds of past-year prescription opioid misuse (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI 2.17-2.91, P ≤ .01). Adults with disabilities had higher odds of prescription opioid misuse, and among adults who currently drink, higher odds for binge drinking were observed. The magnitude of the association between disability status and prescription opioid misuse was particularly concerning. Providers should be trained to screen and treat for substance use problems for people with disabilities.

Risky Sexual Behaviour and Sexual Victimization among Young People with Risky Substance Use in Europe-Perspectives from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany.

Research indicates that among the risks associated with young people's alcohol and illicit drug use are sexual risks. However, insights into co-occurrence of substance use and sexual risks in adolescent samples and possible differences across countries are limited. A sample of 1449 adolescents from Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Germany screened positive for risky alcohol/illicit drug use in a web-based intervention against alcohol and illicit drug use. They also reported incidents of sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs, condomless sex on these occasions, and sexualized touching and sexual victimization while being drunk or high on drugs. In the sample, 21.5% of the participants reported sexualized touching, 9.9% being victim to sexual assault, and 49.8% having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs; of the latter, 48.3% had condomless sex. Reports on having had sex while being drunk and/or high on drugs were associated with higher levels of past 30-day binge drinking. Being a victim of sexual assault was associated with past 30-day binge drinking only in young men. When devising preventive interventions against risky substance use in adolescents, an additional focus should be set on integrating steps against sexual risks.

Identifying and describing trajectories of alcohol use frequency and binge drinking frequency among those age 15-30 in a national cohort of U.S. adolescents: a group-based trajectory modeling approach.

Analyzing long-term trajectories of alcohol use has the potential to strengthen policy and intervention priorities and timing. We identified and described trajectories of alcohol use and binge drinking frequency from mid-adolescence to early adulthood and measured the association of the role of early drinking initiation with trajectory membership. Longitudinal cohort study SETTING: United States PARTICIPANTS: The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 is a nationally representative cohort of youth age 12-16 at baseline. The analytic sample included individuals who participated in >2 annual interviews between age 15 and 30 (n=8,809). Participants self-reported the number of days in the past 30 days they: (1) drank alcohol and (2) binge drank [>5 drinks in one occasion]. We used group-based trajectory modeling to identify distinct trajectories from age 15-30 of past 30-day drinking and past 30-day binge drinking. Using multinomial logistic regression, we evaluated associations between early drinking initiation (≤14 years) and key demographics with trajectory membership. We identified 5 past 30-day drinking groups: late-escalating (16.0%), moderate-frequency (19.0%), high-frequency (11.1%), low-frequency (35.4%) and no/infrequent (18.4%). Early drinking initiation (versus later) was associated with higher odds of membership in the moderate (adjusted multinomial odds ratio [aMOR] = 4.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.65, 5.12) and high-frequency groups (aMOR = 4.17; 95%CI: 3.50, 4.97) than in the no/infrequent comparator trajectory. We identified 5 groups with distinct binge drinking frequency patterns: later escalating (9.9%), high-frequency (3.9%), low frequency (28.7%), earlier onset (9.5%), and no/infrequent (48.0%). Early initiation was associated with increased odds of membership in earlier onset and high-frequency groups compared with the no/infrequent group. For both outcomes additional differences in probability of group membership were identified by gender, racial identity, parental factors (religiosity, high school completion), and household characteristics (household size, income, and region of residence). Youth in the United States appear to follow heterogeneous drinking and binge drinking trajectories from adolescence into adulthood. These may include higher-use trajectories as well as trajectories with different escalation timing (e.g., earlier vs. later). Early initiation of drinking may increase risk of membership in higher- and earlier-use trajectory groups.

Sexual minority status and food and alcohol disturbance among college students: The moderating role of body esteem

Food and alcohol disturbance (FAD; restricting caloric intake before, during, or after drinking to either offset calories or to increase intoxication) is common among college students and poses a threat to students' health. In conjunction, sexual minority (SM; i.e., not exclusively heterosexual) college students may be at increased risk of engaging in alcohol misuse and disordered eating compared to their heterosexual peers due to exposure to minority stress. However, little research has examined whether engagement in FAD differs by SM status. Body esteem (BE) is an important resilience factor among SMs that may influence SM students' risk of participating in FAD. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to understand the association between SM status and FAD with additional interest in BE as a moderating factor. Participants were 459 college students who engaged in past 30-day binge drinking. Most participants identified as White (66.7 %), female (78.4 %), heterosexual (69.3 %), with a mean age of 19.60 (SD = 1.54) years. Participants completed two surveys (3 weeks apart) over the course of an academic semester. Analyses revealed a significant interaction between SM status and BE, such that SMs with lower BE (T1) reported more engagement in FAD-intoxication (T2), whereas SMs with higher BE (T1) reported less engagement in FAD-calories (T2) and FAD-intoxication (T2) than their heterosexual peers. Stressors associated with body esteem may contribute to increased FAD engagement among SM students. Consequently, BE may be an especially important target for interventions aimed at reducing FAD among SM college students.

Loneliness and Alcohol-Related Problems among College Students Who Report Binge Drinking Behavior: The Moderating Role of Food and Alcohol Disturbance.

Loneliness and alcohol misuse are common among college students and pose a threat to public health. To better understand the longitudinal association between these public health concerns we examined food and alcohol disturbance (FAD; i.e., restricting one's caloric intake prior to drinking) as a moderator in the association between loneliness and alcohol-related problems. Participants were 456 college students from a mid-sized university who engaged in past 30-day binge drinking. The majority of participants identified as being White (67.1%), female (78.1%), and reported a mean age of 19.61 (SD = 1.54) years. Participants completed two surveys (3 weeks apart) over the course of an academic semester. Analyses revealed a significant interaction between loneliness and FAD, such that loneliness (T1) significantly and positively predicted alcohol-related problems (T2), but only among individuals who engaged in relatively higher levels of FAD (T1). FAD may be an appropriate target for interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related problems among college students experiencing loneliness.

Substance Use Behaviors Among LGBTQ+ Youth of Color: Identification of the Populations Bearing the Greatest Burden in Three Large Samples

PurposeResearch has identified persistent disparities in alcohol, e-cigarette, and marijuana use, by sexual orientation, gender identity, and race/ethnicity. Using an intersectionality framework, the present study analyzes three large datasets to identify intersecting social positions bearing the highest burden of substance use. MethodsData from adolescents in grades 9–12 in three samples (2019 Minnesota Student Survey, 2017–2019 California Healthy Kids Survey, and 2017 National Teen Survey) were harmonized for an analysis (N = 602,470). A Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection analysis compared the prevalence of four types of substance use across all combinations of four social positions (six racial/ethnic identities, five sexual orientations, three gender identities, and two sexes assigned at birth). For each substance, 10 intersectional groups with the highest prevalence of use were examined. ResultsIn the full sample, 12%–14% of participants reported past 30-day alcohol, e-cigarette, or marijuana use and 7% reported past 30-day binge drinking. Several intersecting marginalized social positions were consistently found to bear a high burden of substance use. For example, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) Latina/x/o young people, particularly those assigned male at birth, were in the high prevalence groups for alcohol use, binge drinking, and marijuana use. Black TGD or gender-questioning youth were commonly in the high prevalence groups. DiscussionFindings suggest that support, resources, and structural changes specifically tailored to youth with multiple marginalized identities (especially TGD) may be needed. The results argue for intersectional efforts that explicitly address racial/ethnic and cultural differences, while also integrating awareness and understanding of sexual and gender diversity.

Combined Associations of Smoking and Bullying Victimization With Binge Drinking Among Adolescents in Beijing, China.

Background: Binge drinking and smoking among adolescents are serious public concerns. However, very few studies have explored the reinforcement of bullying victimization by such behavior. Our study aimed at examining the individual and combined associations of smoking and bullying victimization with binge drinking among adolescents in Beijing, China.Methods: A total of 33,694 students aged 13–17 years old in Beijing, China were anonymously investigated via the cross-sectional Chinese Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey from April to May 2014. A three-stage stratified sampling was used to select participants. Factors such as sociodemographic variables and indicators of smoking, bullying victimization, and binge drinking were analyzed with multiple logistic regressions, and joint and additive interaction effects were tested.Results: Overall, ever-drinking prevalence was 59.1% (boys: 64.4%; girls: 53.7%). Past 30-day binge drinking was 11.5% (boys: 15.6%; girls: 7.4%) and frequent binge drinking was 2.3% (boys: 3.3%; girls: 1.0%). Past 30-day smoking was 10.7% (boys: 16.4%; girls: 5.0%) and past 30-day bullying victimization was 48.7% (boys: 57.3%; girls: 40.1%). The combined effects of smoking and bullying victimization on occasional binge drinking (OR = 6.49, 95% CI = 5.60–7.52) and frequent binge drinking (OR = 10.32, 95% CI = 7.52–14.14) were significant, and the additive interaction effect was significant for current smoking and bullying victimization on frequent binge drinking (OR = 10.22, 95% CI = 9.43–11.07). The additive interaction effect for current smoking and bullying victimization on frequent binge drinking was significant among boys.Conclusion: Bullying victimization reinforced the association of smoking with frequent binge drinking, especially with findings specific to boys. Programs to prevent smoking or bullying or both may reduce binge drinking among adolescents in China.

E-cigarette use among young adults: A latent class analysis examining co-use and correlates of nicotine vaping

IntroductionAlthough a significant proportion of young adults report e-cigarette use (nicotine vaping), little is known about co-use with other substances, including correlates that predict co-use. The current study aimed to identify co-occurring substance use patterns and evaluate multiple correlates in a college student sample. Methods435 participants (21.4 ± 2.9 years; 57% women; 41% Hispanic/Latina/o, 29% Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 17% Caucasian/White, 6% Multiracial, and 5% African-American/Black) from a large, urban university were recruited in-person and completed an online survey in the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019. ResultsUsing latent class analysis (LCA), four substance use patterns were identified: Binge Drinkers (7%); e-cigarette Users (8%); Cannabis Users (14%); and Low Substance Users (71%). The e-cigarette Users class was characterized by moderate or greater use (>5 days of nicotine vaping in past 30-days) as well as past 30-day binge drinking and cannabis use. Higher levels of deviant peer affiliation (aOR = 1.28[1.11–1.47], p < .01), impulsivity-lack of premeditation (aOR = 1.36[1.05–1.78], p < .05), and lower levels of social anxiety (aOR = 0.94[0.88−0.99], p < .05), predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class. ConclusionsThe most pervasive co-occurring substance use was observed among the e-cigarette Users class. Young adults reporting moderate or greater levels of nicotine vaping tended to engage in binge drinking and cannabis use, which may ultimately increase risk of deleterious health outcomes. Deviant peer affiliation and impulsivity-lack of premeditation (but not internalizing symptoms) predicted membership in the e-cigarette Users class; consequently, public health efforts may benefit from increased selectivity in targeting young adults for e-cigarette prevention and intervention services.

Characteristics of precollege sexual violence victimization and associations with sexual violence revictimization during college

Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of precollege sexual victimization (SV) experiences and associations with revictimization and recent substance use behaviors among a sample of college students who reported precollege SV. Participants: A sub-sample of 931 college students who reported precollege SV at baseline data collection for an ongoing multi-site clinical trial. Methods: Data were collected via electronic surveys between September 2015 and March 2017. Measures included precollege and during college SV, recent substance use, and alcohol-related harm reduction behaviors. Results: Precollege SV characteristics associated with revictimization included: Nonpenile penetration (aOR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.04–2.19); pressured sex (aOR: 1.46, 95%CI: 1.06–2.01); and stranger assault (aOR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.22–3.40). Past 30-day binge drinking was also associated with revictimization (aOR: 1.86, 95%CI: 1.36–2.54). Conclusions: The relationship between precollege SV and alcohol, especially binge drinking, may require a more integrated approach to preventing subsequent revictimization.

Substance Use Outcomes for Hispanic Emerging Adults Exposed to Incarceration of a Household Member during Childhood

This study investigates whether Hispanic emerging adults exposed to household incarceration before age 18 report higher rates of past 30-day cigarette, alcohol, binge drinking, marijuana use, and negative substance use consequences, relative to participants not exposed to incarceration of a household member. Respondents were matched on key characteristics to create balanced groups of exposed and nonexposed respondents. Negative binomial regression models assessed primary research questions. There were significant long-term associations between household incarceration and the frequency of past 30-day binge drinking, marijuana use, and number of negative substance use consequences. Policies and health programs addressing household incarceration may be a promising prevention approach to reduce negative substance use outcomes among Hispanic emerging adults.

Parental Style and Its Association With Substance Use in Argentinean Youth

ABSTRACTBackground: In Europe and the United States, family relationships and parenting behavior can influence youth substance use, but less is known about their influence in Latin American countries. Objective: To explore whether parenting behavior is associated with substance use among Latin American youth. Methods: A cross-sectional, school-based survey of middle-school youth (n = 3172) in three Argentinian cities queried tobacco, alcohol, and drug use using items adapted from global youth surveys. Parenting behavior was assessed with previously validated items that tapped into demandingness and responsiveness, separately for mothers and fathers. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed associations between parenting behavior and substance use after adjusting for student characteristics, socioeconomic indicators, sensation seeking, and smoking amongst peers and family members. Results: Substance use prevalence was 10% for current smoking, 32% for current drinking alcohol, 17% for past 30-day binge drinking (≥5 drinks), and 8% for previous year illicit drug use (marijuana or cocaine). Greater maternal demandingness was independently associated with lower likelihood of current smoking (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64–0.92), current drinking (AOR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71–0.92), binge drinking (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66–0.99, and drug use (AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61–0.83). No other parenting behavior were independently associated with substance use, except for paternal demandingness and binge drinking (AOR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.74–0.97). For all outcomes, no interactions were found between parenting behavior and student gender. Conclusions: Among Argentine adolescents, maternal demandingness was the strongest and most consistent correlate of substance use, regardless of adolescent substance use behavior or gender.

Multiple tobacco product use among young adult bar patrons in New Mexico

IntroductionUse of non-cigarette tobacco products is common, and e-cigarette use is increasing among young adults. We aimed to identify use of other tobacco products among young adult bar patrons in the context of a bar-based intervention to decrease cigarette smoking. Methods2291 cross-sectional surveys were collected from young adults in bars in Albuquerque, New Mexico using time–location sampling between 2011 and 2013 (N=1142 in 2011, N=1149 in 2012–2013), 2 and 3years into an intervention to reduce cigarette use, and analyzed in 2014–2015. Participants reported current (i.e. past 30-day) use of cigarettes, snus, dip, cigarillos, hookah, and e-cigarettes, demographics, and tobacco-related attitudes. Multiple imputation was used to account for planned missing data. Logistic regression determined correlates of multiple tobacco product use. ResultsCigarette smoking in the population decreased during the intervention from 43% to 37%. Over 60% of current cigarette smokers reported poly-use, most frequently with e-cigarettes (46%) and hookah (44%), followed by cigarillos (24%), dip (15%), and snus (14%) in 2012–2013. Among cigarette smokers, current e-cigarette use increased, while use of other products decreased during the intervention. Odds of poly-use (versus smoking cigarettes only) were greater among males and those reporting past 30-day binge drinking, and lower in those who strongly believed secondhand smoke exposure is harmful. ConclusionsAmong young adult bar patrons in Albuquerque, New Mexico, most cigarette smokers reported currently using at least one other tobacco product. Public health interventions should address use of all tobacco products, use of which may rise despite decreased cigarette use.

Parental Restriction of Mature-rated Media and Its Association With Substance Use Among Argentinean Adolescents

ObjectiveTo assess the independent relation between parental restrictions on mature-rated media (M-RM) and substance use among South American adolescents. MethodsCross-sectional school-based youth survey of 3,172 students (mean age, 12.8 years; 57.6% boys) in 3 large Argentinean cities. The anonymous survey queried tobacco, alcohol, and drug use using items adapted from global youth surveys. Adolescents reported M-RM restriction for internet and video game use, television programming, and movies rated for adults. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between parental M-RM restriction and substance use after adjustment for hourly media use, measures of authoritative parenting style, sociodemographic characteristics, and sensation-seeking. ResultsSubstance use rates were 10% for current smoking, 32% for current drinking alcohol, 17% for past 30-day binge drinking, and 8% for illicit drug use (marijuana or cocaine). Half of the respondents reported parental M-RM restriction (internet 52%, TV 43%, adult movies 34%, video game 25%). Parental M-RM restriction was only modestly correlated with authoritative parenting measures. In multivariate analyses M-RM restriction on all 4 venues was strongly protective for all substance use outcomes. Compared with no restriction, odds ratios for substance use for full restrictions were 0.32 (0.18–0.59), 0.53 (0.38–0.07), 0.36 (0.22–0.59), and 0.49 (0.26–0.92) for current smoking, drinking, binge drinking, and illicit drug use, respectively. The most important single M-RM venue was movies. ConclusionsResults of this study confirmed the protective association between parental M-RM restriction during adolescence and multiple substance use outcomes, including illicit drugs. M-RM restriction is independent of traditional parenting measures. The preponderance of the evidence supports intervention development.

Loneliness and health risk behaviours among Russian and U.S. adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundFor some adolescents feeling lonely can be a protracted and painful experience. It has been suggested that engaging in health risk behaviours such as substance use and sexual behaviour may be a way of coping with the distress arising from loneliness during adolescence. However, the association between loneliness and health risk behaviour has been little studied to date. To address this research gap, the current study examined this relation among Russian and U.S. adolescents.MethodsData were used from the Social and Health Assessment (SAHA), a school-based survey conducted in 2003. A total of 1995 Russian and 2050 U.S. students aged 13–15 years old were included in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between loneliness and substance use, sexual risk behaviour, and violence.ResultsAfter adjusting for demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms, loneliness was associated with a significantly increased risk of adolescent substance use in both Russia and the United States. Lonely Russian girls were significantly more likely to have used marijuana (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28; confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–4.45), while lonely Russian boys had higher odds for past 30-day smoking (OR, 1.87; CI, 1.08–3.24). In the U.S. loneliness was associated with the lifetime use of illicit drugs (excepting marijuana) among boys (OR, 3.09; CI, 1.41–6.77) and with lifetime marijuana use (OR, 1.79; CI, 1.26–2.55), past 30-day alcohol consumption (OR, 1.80; CI, 1.18–2.75) and past 30-day binge drinking (OR, 2.40; CI, 1.56–3.70) among girls. The only relation between loneliness and sexual risk behaviour was among Russian girls, where loneliness was associated with significantly higher odds for ever having been pregnant (OR, 1.69; CI: 1.12–2.54). Loneliness was not associated with violent behaviour among boys or girls in either country.ConclusionLoneliness is associated with adolescent health risk behaviour among boys and girls in both Russia and the United States. Further research is now needed in both settings using quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand the association between loneliness and health risk behaviours so that effective interventions can be designed and implemented to mitigate loneliness and its effects on adolescent well-being.

Physical Activity and Substance Use in Young Adults

PURPOSE: To examine the association between participation in organized physical activity (PA) and binge drinking, tobacco use and marijuana use. METHODS: A sample of young adults (n=827) with a mean age of 24.4 years, 48% males and 19% non-white completed questionnaires on PA and substance use. Organized PA in the past year was defined as participation in one or more structured group activities, such as sports teams, clubs and intramurals. Past 30-day binge drinking, use of chewing tobacco, cigarettes and marijuana were assessed and individuals were categorized as user or non-user. Chi square analyses were used to examine group differences. RESULTS: Overall, 34% of subjects participated in organized PA; 47% reported binge drinking; 6% reported use of chewing tobacco; 39% reported use of cigarettes and 14% reported use of marijuana. Subjects who participated in organized PA were more likely to engage in binge drinking (63% vs. 40%; p<0.01), use chewing tobacco (11% vs. 3%; p<0.01) and smoke marijuana (18% vs. 12%; p=0.03) than those who did not participate in organized PA. No association was found between participation in organized PA and reported cigarette use (37% vs. 36%; p=0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Young adults who participated in organized physical activities were more likely to binge drink, use chewing tobacco and smoke marijuana. Future research should investigate the relationship between physical activity and substance use in young adults.