Marijuana and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination for Teens

While both marijuana and alcohol carry risks, their combination is especially dangerous. Known as “polysubstance use,” mixing substances magnifies impairment and increases the chance of harmful outcomes.



The Science

  • Both THC and alcohol impair judgment, motor skills, and reaction time. Used together, the effects are not simply additive — they are exponential.

  • Teens who combine marijuana and alcohol are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors, drive impaired, and experience blackouts.

The Data

  • SAMHSA (2023) reports that teens who use multiple substances are at significantly higher risk of accidents and addiction.

  • NHTSA studies show that crash risk rises sharply when alcohol and THC are combined.

Parent Action

Parents can use this fact to highlight that “just a little” alcohol or marijuana isn’t harmless — and combining them is potentially deadly.

Sources

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2023). Youth Polysubstance Use Data.

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2021). Drug and Alcohol-Impaired Driving.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

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