Gen Z's Binge Drinking and Drug Use Escalate in Early Adulthood
Recent research from University College London (UCL) has uncovered a concerning trend: binge drinking and drug use among Generation Z individuals in their early 20s have risen sharply since their teenage years. This finding challenges the perception of this cohort as "generation sensible" and highlights significant public health implications.
Substantial Increases in Alcohol and Drug Consumption
The study, conducted by the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS), analysed data from nearly 10,000 participants born in the UK between 2000 and 2002, part of the Millennium Cohort Study. Researchers compared substance use at ages 17 and 23 within the same group, revealing dramatic shifts.
Binge drinking rates showed a notable climb. At age 23, 68% of participants reported binge drinking in the past year, defined as consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting. This marks a 15-percentage-point increase from 53% at age 17. Moreover, nearly a third (29%) engaged in binge drinking at least monthly, up from just 10% during their teenage years.
Drug use also escalated substantially. Cannabis use rose by 18 percentage points, from 31% at age 17 to 49% at age 23. The proportion trying harder drugs, such as cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy, more than tripled, increasing from 10% to 32%. Additionally, frequent use of harder drugs (10 times or more in the past year) grew from 3% to 8%.
Other Addictive Behaviours and Demographic Insights
The research extended beyond alcohol and drugs to examine other potentially addictive behaviours. At age 23, 32% of the cohort reported gambling, though only 4% described it as problematic. Daily vaping surged from 3% at age 17 to 19% at age 23, while cigarette smoking rates remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from 8% to 9%.
Dr Aase Villadsen, the lead author, emphasised that while late adolescence and early adulthood are typical periods for experimentation, the intensification of these behaviours is alarming. She noted, "The sharp rise in many behaviours between adolescence and early adulthood shows how risks intensify during this stage of life." Villadsen called for targeted policy interventions, education, and advice, particularly for high-risk groups like young males, who are around seven times more likely to report gambling difficulties and more prone to using harder drugs.
Health Warnings and Environmental Factors
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 expressed concern that, contrary to claims of reduced drinking among youth, Gen Z individuals in their early 20s may be consuming as much or more alcohol than millennials did at a similar age.
Severi highlighted findings that university students report higher rates of heavy drinking, pointing to environmental factors rather than individual choice alone. She stated, "We know that affordability, availability, and promotion are the key drivers of alcohol harm, and many students are exposed to all three." She urged universities to prioritise student health and wellbeing over commercial relationships with alcohol companies, such as sponsorships of sports clubs and events.
Study Publication and Broader Implications
The briefing paper, "Substance Use and Addictive Behaviours: Initial Findings From the Millennium Cohort Study at age 23" by Aase Villadsen and Emla Fitzsimons, will be published on the CLS website. This research underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive measures to address substance abuse trends among young adults, ensuring their long-term health and safety.
