Table of Contents
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Description | The Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS; Kolp et al., 2024) is a self-report inventory designed to assess the frequency, quantity, and associated problems with simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (SAM). The scale was developed using prior research on SAM use and adapted items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R), and other validated measures. The ACSUS was tested on a sample of U.S. college students who used both substances. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a two-factor structure comprising 9 items: four measuring SAM use frequency and quantity, and five assessing related problems. The scale demonstrated reliability and validity in its psychometric evaluation. |
| Author | Kolp, Haley; Horvath, Sarah; Fite, Paula J.; Metrik, Jane; Stuart, Gregory L.; Lisdahl, Krista M.; Shorey, Ryan C. |
| ORCID | Horvath, Sarah: 0000-0001-7884-958X |
| Affiliation | Kolp, Haley – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of PsychologyHorvath, Sarah – Ohio University, Department of PsychologyFite, Paula J. – University of Kansas, Department of Applied Behavioral ScienceMetrik, Jane – Brown University School of Public Health, Center for Alcohol and Addiction StudiesStuart, Gregory L. – University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Department of PsychologyLisdahl, Krista M. – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of PsychologyShorey, Ryan C. – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology |
| Correspondence Address | Kolp, Haley: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Department of Psychology, 2441 E Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, United States, 53211, [email protected] |
| Purpose | To measure the frequency, quantity, and related problems associated with simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use. |
| Construct | Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use |
| Instrument Type | Inventory/Questionnaire |
| Test Year | 2024 |
| Number of Items | 9 |
| Factors and Subscales | Factor 1: SAM use frequency and quantity (items 1–4)Factor 2: Problems associated with SAM use (items 5–9) |
| Reliability | Internal Consistency: Total ACSUS (α = 0.70), Factor 1 (α = 0.68), Factor 2 (α = 0.69). |
| Validity | Concurrent Validity: The ACSUS was significantly correlated with measures of alcohol and cannabis use (AUDIT, CUDIT-R), impulsivity (SUPPS-P), and motives for SAM use, supporting its validity. |
| Factor Analysis | Exploratory Factor Analysis: A 2-factor solution was confirmed, with one item removed due to cross-loading.Confirmatory Factor Analysis: The 9-item, 2-factor model showed good fit: χ²(26) = 45.75, p < .05; CFI = .99; RMSEA = .05; SRMR = .09. |
| Test Methodology | Test Reliability; Internal Consistency; Factor Analysis; Confirmatory Factor Analysis; Exploratory Factor Analysis |
| Administration Method | Electronic |
| Format | Multiple-choice (3-5 response options per item); item 3 includes an image from the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU) to aid in estimating cannabis quantity. |
| Age Group | Adulthood (18+ years); Young Adulthood (18-29 years) |
| Population Group | Human; Male; Female; Transgender |
| Population Details | Respondents: College students who use alcohol and cannabisLocation: United StatesGender identities reported: Genderqueer; Gender Nonconforming |
| Keywords | Alcohol Use; Cannabis Use; Simultaneous Drug Use; Use Frequency; Use Quantity; Associated Problems with Use |
| Index Terms | Alcohol Use; Drug Interactions; Marijuana; Substance Use and Addiction Measures; Cannabis Use |
| Files | No file available for download. |
| Reference | Kolp, H., Horvath, S., Fite, P. J., Metrik, J., Stuart, G. L., Lisdahl, K. M., & Shorey, R. C. (2024). Development of the Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS) in college students. Journal of Substance Use, 29(4), 509–516. https://doi.org/10.1080/14659891.2023.2183149 |
Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)
Instructions: The following questions ask about your use of alcohol and marijuana at approximately the same time, so that the effects of each substance overlapped. That is, these questions ask about times you have used alcohol and marijuana together.
Items and Scoring
| Item | Scoring Options |
| (1) How often did you use both alcohol and marijuana on the same occasion during the past 12 months, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. Never (0) <br> b. Monthly or Less (1) <br> c. 2 to 4 times a month (2) <br> d. 2 to 3 times a week (3) <br> e. 4 or more times a week (4) |
| (2) How many drinks containing alcohol did you have on a typical day when you were using both alcohol and marijuana on the same occasion during the past 12 months, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. 1 or 2 (0) <br> b. 3 or 4 (1) <br> c. 5 or 6 (2) <br> d. 7 to 9 (3) <br> e. 10 or more (4) |
| (3) How much marijuana did you use (in grams) on a typical day when you were using both alcohol and marijuana on the same occasion during the past 12 months, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. 0.125 grams or less (0) <br> b. 0.25 grams (1) <br> c. 0.50 grams (2) <br> d. 0.75 grams (3) <br> e. 1 gram or more (4) |
| (4) How often did you have 4 (for women)/5 (for men) or more drinks on one occasion while also using marijuana on the same occasion during the past 12 months, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. Never (0) <br> b. Less than monthly (1) <br> c. Monthly (2) <br> d. Weekly (3) <br> e. Daily or almost daily (4) |
| (5) How often during the past 12 months did you find that you were not able to stop drinking once you started when using both alcohol and marijuana on the same occasion, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. Never (0) <br> b. Less than monthly (1) <br> c. Monthly (2) <br> d. Weekly (3) <br> e. Daily or almost daily (4) |
| (6) How often during the past 12 months did you find that you were not able to stop using marijuana once you started when using both alcohol and marijuana on the same occasion, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. Never (0) <br> b. Less than monthly (1) <br> c. Monthly (2) <br> d. Weekly (3) <br> e. Daily or almost daily (4) |
| (7) How often during the past 12 months did you fail to do what was normally expected from you because of using both marijuana and alcohol on the same occasion, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. Never (0) <br> b. Less than monthly (1) <br> c. Monthly (2) <br> d. Weekly (3) <br> e. Daily or almost daily (4) |
| (8) In the past 12 months, were you or someone else injured as a result of your using both marijuana and alcohol on the same occasion, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped? | a. No (0) <br> b. Yes, but not in the last 12 months (2) <br> c. Yes, during the last 12 months (4) |
| (9) In the past 12 months, was a relative, friend, doctor, or other health worker concerned about you using both marijuana and alcohol on the same occasion, so that the effects of alcohol and marijuana overlapped, or suggested you cut down? | a. No (0) <br> b. Yes, but not in the last 12 months (2) <br> c. Yes, during the last 12 months (4) |
Scoring Instructions
Response options were coded from 0 to 4 for items 1 through 7. For items 8 and 9, responses were coded as 0 (Never), 2 (Yes, but not in the past 12 months), and 4 (Yes, in the past 12 months). The ACSUS scores can be calculated by either utilizing the total overall score or using total scores from either factor by summing the appropriate items together (items 1-4 for quantity/ frequency; items 5-9 for associated problems). The total score can range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating more simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use and related problems.
Cite this article
Mohammed looti (2026). Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/alcohol-and-cannabis-simultaneous-use-scale-acsus/
Mohammed looti. "Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 4 Apr. 2026, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/alcohol-and-cannabis-simultaneous-use-scale-acsus/.
Mohammed looti. "Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2026. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/alcohol-and-cannabis-simultaneous-use-scale-acsus/.
Mohammed looti (2026) 'Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/alcohol-and-cannabis-simultaneous-use-scale-acsus/.
[1] Mohammed looti, "Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS)," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, April, 2026.
Mohammed looti. Alcohol and Cannabis Simultaneous Use Scale (ACSUS). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2026;vol(issue):pages.