- Generation Z binge drinking rates surge dramatically from teenage years into early twenties.
- Cannabis and harder drug use among young adults triples or nearly doubles since adolescence.
- University environment and alcohol availability drive concerning substance use patterns in early adulthood.
Research from University College London contradicts the widely held perception that generation Z avoids alcohol and drugs. Data tracking nearly 10,000 individuals born between 2000 and 2002 reveals a startling transformation as these young people transition from their teenage years into their early twenties. The longitudinal study followed the same cohort at ages 17 and 23, documenting dramatic shifts in substance use patterns.
The most striking finding involves binge drinking, defined as consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting. At age 23, nearly 7 in 10 respondents reported binge drinking in the past year, compared to just over half at age 17. Even more concerning, monthly binge drinking among 23-year-olds reached 29%, nearly tripling from 10% at age 17. This represents a 15 percentage point increase over six years.
Drug experimentation escalated substantially during the same period. Cannabis use jumped from 31% to 49% between ages 17 and 23, an 18 percentage point rise. Hard drug consumption, including cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy, more than tripled from 10% to 32%. Frequent hard drug use, defined as 10 or more times annually, doubled from 3% to 8% of the cohort.
Beyond alcohol and drugs, other addictive behaviours increased notably. Daily vaping surged from 3% to 19% between the two age points, while gambling rose to 32% of the cohort, though only 4% classified it as problematic. Cigarette smoking remained relatively stable at around 8 to 9%, showing minimal change across the six-year period.
Young males face disproportionate risks, being approximately seven times more likely to experience gambling difficulties than females and showing higher rates of hard drug use. University students reported elevated binge drinking rates, suggesting that campus culture and the broader alcohol environment significantly influence consumption patterns beyond individual choice alone.
Researchers emphasize that while experimentation during late adolescence and early adulthood is typical, the magnitude and intensity of increases warrant concern. The brain continues developing until the mid-twenties, making young people particularly vulnerable to alcohol’s neurological effects. Without intervention, these intensifying behaviours may become deeply ingrained patterns throughout adulthood.
Policy experts stress that alcohol affordability, availability, and commercial promotion drive substantial harm. Universities bear responsibility for creating safe environments where student wellbeing takes precedence over commercial partnerships with alcohol companies, including sports sponsorships that normalize heavy drinking.
