Exploring patterns of polysubstance use among young adults: a latent profile analysis (2025)

Background: Polysubstance use is common among individuals who use psychoactive substances and is associated with higher substance use-related risks than non-polysubstance use. Epidemiological studies show the highest prevalence rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) among young adults. However, determining who will develop SUDs is complicated by an interplay between interactions of biological, psychological, and social factors, and not just the substance use itself. This study sought to explore potential patterns of polysubstance use as an interplay between substance use, substance use setting, and a number of potentially distal outcomes.
Method: Latent Profile Analysis of a large, cross-sectional survey of Polish young adults using various substances in the last 12 months (N = 7325; 18-30 years old; M = 22.3, SD = 3.63; 69.1% male), was conducted.
Results: Five distinct profiles were identified, that ranged from low, through moderate to high polysubstance use patterns with different prominent substances of use. Cannabis use was high across all profiles and did not differentiate between them well. Use of dissociatives and frequent polysubstance use across settings (except for using alone) were most strongly associated with negative substance-related outcomes (e.g. SUDs).
Conclusions: Polysubstance use across different settings may not necessarily carry greater substance-related risks than being alone while using specific substances. [Author's abstract]