Gen Z Binge Drinking and Drug Use Surges in Early 20s, Study Reveals
Increased binge drinking and drug use among people in their 20s is a significant cause for concern, according to analysts. Recent research challenges the notion of a 'generation sensible' as alcohol and drug consumption rises sharply after the teenage years.
Sharp Rise in Binge Drinking Rates
Binge drinking rates among Gen Z have escalated dramatically since their teenage years. The study, conducted by University College London (UCL), found that almost seven in 10 (68%) 23-year-olds reported binge drinking in the past year. This marks a substantial increase from 53% at age 17. Notably, nearly a third (29%) of these young adults engage in binge drinking at least monthly, up from just 10% at age 17. Binge drinking is defined as consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in a single sitting.
Substantial Increase in Drug Use
Drug use among Gen Z has also seen a significant uptick. While cannabis use was relatively limited during the teenage years, by age 23, almost half (49%) have tried it, representing an 18 percentage point increase from 31% at age 17. More alarmingly, the use of harder drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy more than tripled, rising from 10% to 32%. Additionally, those using harder drugs 10 times or more in the past year increased from 3% to 8%.
Other Addictive Behaviors on the Rise
The research also examined other potentially addictive behaviors. Almost a third (32%) of the cohort reported gambling at age 23, with 4% describing it as problematic. Daily vaping saw a dramatic rise, increasing from 3% at age 17 to nearly one in five (19%) at age 23. In contrast, cigarette smoking rates remained relatively stable, moving from 8% to 9%.
Expert Insights and Concerns
Dr. Aase Villadsen, the lead author of the study, highlighted that recent reports suggesting young people are drinking less might not hold true for all members of Gen Z as they enter their early 20s. She expressed concern over the intensification of risky behaviors during this life stage, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions and education, particularly for high-risk groups such as young males, who are more prone to gambling difficulties and harder drug use.
Dr. Katherine Severi, chief executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, warned that young people are especially vulnerable to alcohol's effects due to ongoing brain development into the mid-20s. She pointed out that findings indicating higher rates of heavy drinking among university students are particularly troubling, suggesting that environmental factors like affordability, availability, and promotion play a crucial role. Severi called for universities to prioritize student health over commercial relationships with alcohol companies.
Study Methodology and Publication
Researchers from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies analyzed data from nearly 10,000 individuals born across the UK between 2000 and 2002, who are part of the Millennium Cohort Study. The study compared substance use at ages 17 and 23 within the same group. The findings, titled 'Substance Use and Addictive Behaviours: Initial Findings From the Millennium Cohort Study at age 23' by Aase Villadsen and Emla Fitzsimons, will be published as a briefing paper on the CLS website.
