Motivations for cannabis use may include coping with negative well-being. Life satisfaction, a hallmark of subjective well-being, could play a role in cannabis use among young adults. This study aims to assess whether life satisfaction (SWLS) at age 21 is associated with cannabis initiation and cessation between the ages of 21 and 25, and with cannabis use severity (CUDIT) at age 25. Data were drawn from a cohort of young Swiss males. Associations of life satisfaction with initiation, cessation, and severity were assessed with logistic and zero-truncated negative binomial regressions. Age, family income, education, alcohol, and tobacco use at age 21 were used as adjustment variables. From a sample of 4778 males, 1477 (30.9%) reported cannabis use at age 21, 456 (9.5%) initiated use between age 21 and 25, and 515 (10.8%) ceased by age 25. Mean (SD) SWLS was significantly higher among non-users at age 21: 27.22 (5.35) vs. 26.28 (5.80), p < 0.001. Negative associations between life satisfaction at age 21 and cannabis use initiation (OR = 0.98, p = 0.029) and severity at age 25 (IRR = 0.97, p < 0.001) were no more significant in adjusted analyses (OR = 0.98, p = 0.059 and IRR = 0.99, p = 0.090). Life satisfaction at age 21 was not associated with cannabis cessation (OR = 0.99, p = 0.296). Results suggest that the predictive value of life satisfaction in cannabis use is questionable and may be accounted for by other behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol use.

Background: Numerous studies documented an unexpected association between physical activity (PA) and alcohol use, suggesting that higher rates of PA may be linked to increased alcohol use. Evidence is lacking on factors explaining this relation. This study investigated cross-sectional associations between time devoted to different domains of PA and unhealthy alcohol use and tested whether these associations differed by age and sex. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2017 Swiss Health Survey. Participants (N = 17 328) are representative of the Swiss population and provided information on 3 PA-domains (hours/day of sport/exercise, leisure, and commuting) and unhealthy alcohol use (chronic risky drinking [≥20 g mean daily ethanol for women; ≥40 g for men], heavy episodic drinking [≥1 occasion/month with ≥40 g for women/≥50 g for men]). Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between hours/day spent on the 3 PA-domains and unhealthy alcohol use and to test interactions between PA-domains and sex and age separately. All models were adjusted for tobacco use, body mass index, and demographics. Results: Hours/day of leisure PA was positively associated with chronic risky drinking (OR = 1.06, P = .030). Hours/day of sport/exercise PA was positively associated with heavy episodic drinking (OR = 1.12, P = .007). No significant association was found for commuting PA. There was a significant interaction between sport/exercise PA and age on heavy episodic drinking ( P < .001). Age-stratified analyses revealed positive associations for participants aged 18 to <25 (OR = 1.44, P < .001), 25 to <35 (OR = 1.23, P = .019), and ≥75 (OR = 1.74, P = .003), negative for participants aged 35 to <45 (OR = 0.73, P = .019), and nonsignificant associations for participants aged 45 to <55 (OR = 0.96, P = .720), 55 to <65 (OR = 0.99, P = .909), and 65 to <75 (OR = 1.05, P = .713). Conclusions: Our results highlight the importance to account for PA-domains and alcohol use patterns when studying the PA-alcohol relationship. Associations between sport/exercise and heavy episodic drinking differed by age, possibly reflecting the socio-environmental context’s impact across the lifespan. Findings may have implications for alcohol screening and interventions among physically active people.

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and Gaming Disorder (GD) have emerged as significant public health concerns, with studies highlighting their association with substance use. Research on IGD/GD faces challenges due to heterogeneous definitions and measurement tools. While the introduction of DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria for these behaviors improved research consistency, substance use patterns in individuals with IGD/GD, when defined strictly by these criteria, remain unexplored. Importantly, a comprehensive review of substance use patterns among individuals with IGD/GD based on DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria has never been conducted. Objective: This scoping review aims to map existing literature on substance use in individuals with IGD/GD, focusing on patterns, underlying mechanisms, and moderating factors influencing this relationship. Methods: The review adhered to the JBI manual for scoping reviews and PRISMA-ScR standards. A literature search was conducted in August 2025, in seven bibliographic databases, supplemented by citation tracking strategies. Inclusion criteria encompassed empirical studies published post-2013, using scales published after 2013, based on DSM-5/ICD-11 criteria for IGD/GD, and focusing on substance use. Results: A total of 36 studies out of 5,561 identified, predominantly cross-sectional, were included. Findings indicated a high co-occurrence of IGD/GD and substance use, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Shared risk factors such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and maladaptive coping strategies were identified. Alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, and cannabis emerged as the most commonly used substances, with variations across cultural contexts. Limited longitudinal data underscored the need for research on the progression and interaction of IGD/GD and substance use over time. Conclusion: The findings revealed that individuals with IGD/GD frequently engage in substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and stimulants such as amphetamines. This review highlights critical mechanisms linking IGD/GD and substance use, emphasizing the role of behavioral reinforcement and emotional dysregulation. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and protective factors to inform tailored prevention and intervention strategies. Systematic screening for substance use is warranted among individuals with IGD/GD.

Background: Substance-induced consciousness alterations (CA) have mainly been studied among users of psychedelics but not among people using street drugs.Aims: Explore occurrences of three different types of substance-induced CA [ego dissolution (ED), visual pseudo-hallucinations (VPH), anxiety/paranoia (A/P)] and their perceived influences on life, together with their associations with substance use and personality correlates in a general population sample of 25-year-old men.Methods: 2,796 young Swiss men lifetime substance users completed a self-report questionnaire including history of use (never, former, and current) of different substances categories (psychedelics, cocaine, psychostimulants, ecstasy, MDMA, and other drugs), substance-induced ego dissolution (ED), visual pseudo-hallucinations (VPH) and anxiety/paranoia (A/P), the influence of these CA experiences on life, and personality traits (sensation seeking, sociability, anxiety-neuroticism, and aggression–hostility).Results: 32.2% reported at least one CA (i.e., ED, VPH or A/P), with 20.5% reporting ED, 16.7% VPH, and 14.6% A/P. Former and current use of psychedelics and ketamine was significantly associated with occurrences of all three types of CAs and with a positive influence of CA on life. Associations between the former and current use of other substances and the different types of CA were less consistent, and perceived influences on life were not statistically significant. Sociability was negatively associated with occurrences of all three types of CA. Positive associations were found between anxiety–neuroticism and ED and A/P, between aggression–hostility and A/P, and between sensation seeking and ED and VPH.Conclusion: This study supports the potential for psychedelics to induce CAs perceived as beneficial to life among people using street drugs, possibly reflecting the mechanism underlying the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.