Around seven in ten (68%) young adults who are part of generation Z report binge drinking in the past year, with almost a third (29%) regularly consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting, according to new UCL research.
For the study, researchers from the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies analysed data from nearly 10,000 people born across the UK in 2000-02 who are taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study. At age 23, study participants were asked how often they used drugs and alcohol and took part in other potentially addictive behaviour such as gambling. The study’s authors compared these data with reports from the same participants when they were age 17.
Rates of binge drinking
Published as a briefing paper, the research shows rates of regular binge drinking among gen Z have tripled since they were in their late teens and are slightly higher than those reported by a group of millennials when they were a similar age a decade ago. The report also finds that half (49%) of gen Z’s 23-year-olds have used cannabis and a third (32%) have tried harder drugs, such as cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.
Recent reports have suggested that young people are increasingly turning their backs on drinking alcohol compared to earlier born generations. However, our new study appears to show that this might not be the case for some members of gen Z as they reach their early 20s.
Aase Villadsen, Research FellowLead author, Dr Aase Villadsen (UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies) said: “Recent reports have suggested that young people are increasingly turning their backs on drinking alcohol compared to earlier born generations. However, our new study appears to show that this might not be the case for some members of gen Z as they reach their early 20s. Although late adolescence and early adulthood is a time when young people tend to experiment, increased binge drinking and drug use does give cause for concern, especially if these behaviours become more ingrained during their 20s.”
Overall, substance use had risen significantly since participants were in their late teens. For example, the proportion of 23-year-olds who reported binge drinking at least once in the past year was 15 percentage points higher than at age 17 (68%, up from 53%). Rates of frequent binge drinking tripled in the same period, with 29% reporting they binge drank once a month or more at age 23, compared to 10% at age 17. Binge drinking was defined as consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting.
The researchers then compared the binge drinking habits of this group of gen Zers to those reported by a group of millennials, born in 1989-90, when they were age 25. They found gen Z were slightly more likely than millennials to report binge drinking once a month or more (29% v 25%). This difference was largely driven by lower rates among millennial women at this age. Among men, rates of frequent binge drinking were very similar in the two generations (31% for gen Z v 30% for millennials).
Drug use and gambling
Use of cannabis and harder drugs among gen Z increased substantially between ages 17 and 23. Those who said they had ever tried cannabis increased by 18 percentage points between ages 17 and 23 (31% v 49%). The proportion who had ever tried harder drugs more than tripled (10% v 32%).
Those using harder drugs on ten or more occasions in the past year more than doubled from their late teens (3% at age 17 v 8% at age 23). Daily vaping rose from 3% to 19%, but cigarette smoking remained around the same (8% v 9%).
A third (32%) of 23-year-olds reported gambling in the past year. However, 4% experienced gambling problems, such as feeling guilty about gambling, others criticising or identifying their gambling as problematic, or because gambling had caused them financial problems.
Substance use and addictive behaviours tended to be more common among males than females. Men reported higher rates of frequent binge drinking (31% v 27%), frequent use of cannabis (16% v 9%) and of harder drugs (10% v 6%). Men were much more likely to report they had gambling problems than their female peers (7% v 1%).
The authors also found differences by educational qualifications and UK country. On average, young adults who attended university reported higher rates of frequent binge drinking. Their peers who had not pursued higher education were more likely to vape daily and have gambling problems. Regular binge drinking was more common among 23-year-olds in Scotland (37%) and Northern Ireland (35%) than in England (28%) and Wales (26%).
Dr Villadsen added: “Substance use and potentially addictive behaviours like gambling can be harmful and impact individuals’ health, relationships, and educational and employment prospects. Their effects can also put a strain on public services, especially healthcare, social care, and the criminal justice system.
“Our findings highlight the need for sustained policy attention to substance use and addictive behaviours in young adults. The sharp rise in many behaviours between adolescence and early adulthood shows how risks intensify during this stage of life. Policy interventions, education and advice should be aimed at the most at-risk groups, such as young males, who are around seven times more likely to report having gambling difficulties than females, and are more likely to use harder drugs.”
If you are affected by the issues in this research and need support:
If you or a loved one has difficulties with substance use, you can find advice and support on drugs and alcohol from Talk to Frank www.talktofrank.com or can call Frank 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0300 123 6600.
If you would like further information, advice and support about gambling problems or would like to speak to someone you can access GamCare www.gamcare.org.uk
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Media coverage of this research
The Guardian – Binge drinking rises sharply among gen Z in their early 20s
Notes to editors
Read: ‘Substance use and addictive behaviours: initial findings from the Millennium Cohort Study at age 23’, by Aase Villadsen and Emla Fitzsimons.
Study methodology
Measures of substance use and addictive behaviours – Binge drinking was defined as consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting with regular use considered to be occurring on a monthly basis. Regular use of cannabis and hard drugs was identified as using them ten or more times in the past year. Problem gambling was defined as feeling guilt related to gambling behaviour, having others comment negatively on it, or encountering money problems as a result.
Generational labels – generation Z is typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, making this group aged between 14 and 29. The millennial generation are those born between 1981 and 1996, and now aged between 30 to 45 years old
The Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) is following the lives of around 19,000 young people born across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2000-02. The study has tracked measures such as physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and behavioural development, economic circumstances, parenting, relationships and family life across the life course. MCS is core funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and a consortium of government departments. Data from the latest survey, the MCS Age 23 Sweep are available for researchers to download from the UK Data Service. www.cls.ucl.ac.uk/mcs
