(PS6-34) Motivational and contextual factors associated with planned versus unplanned alcohol and cannabis use among sexual and gender minorities

Unplanned alcohol and cannabis use are theorized to lead to higher risk for use-related consequences, often attributed to a limited ability to engage in protective strategies. Existing research has focused on substance use motives and social contexts as important correlates of unplanned use, with social and enhancement motives being lower on unplanned use days and mixed findings on the effects of coping motives and contexts. However, it is unclear whether these findings extend to unplanned cannabis use and whether they generalize to sexual and gender minorities (SGM). SGM individuals are at an elevated risk of developing substance use disorders, which is attributed to more permissive alcohol and cannabis norms in SGM spaces and an overreliance on substances to cope with minority stress. Thus, risk factors for unplanned use (i.e., social contexts and use motives) are particularly relevant to SGM substance use research. To address this, we examined unplanned use in a sample of 380 SGM participants across 30 days of twice-daily ecological momentary assessments. Multilevel modeling was used to examine unplanned use in association with alcohol and cannabis quantity and consequences, motives for use, and social contexts. To capture factors unique to the SGM population, we examined microaggressions and the sexual and gender identity of substance use companions. At the daily level, unplanned use was associated with less cannabis intoxication and fewer drinks but more cannabis consequences. Enhancement and social motives were associated with a lower likelihood of unplanned cannabis and alcohol use during the same day, and conformity motives were higher on unplanned drinking days but lower on unplanned cannabis use days. Coping motives and microaggressions were not linked to unplanned use. There was a lower likelihood of unplanned drinking when with other SGM. These findings provide novel insight on correlates of unplanned cannabis use among SGM. Specifically, the elevated consequences associated with unplanned use, even at lower levels of intoxication, supports theories that suggest unplanned use may be a riskier behavior. The finding that unplanned drinking is less common with SGM peers suggests more planned drinking in those spaces. It is important to note that intent to use was only measured during evening surveys when no substance use had been reported for that day, which prevented us from capturing all instances of unplanned use. However, these findings address an important gap in the literature and provide a basis for future research on unplanned cannabis use and unplanned cannabis and alcohol use in minority populations.