Contagious alcohol consumption trends
In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in substance use among young people, with particular focus on the misuse of legal drugs and the rise in overdose rates among the youth. Michael Falkenstein, an addiction expert at KKH, highlights the importance of early prevention, ideally before individuals start consuming substances like alcohol.
According to a national survey conducted in 2024, approximately 16.7% (48.2 million) of people aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in the past month, indicating persistent high levels of substance use among young people and young adults.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated factors leading to substance use among youth. The lockdown has likely increased boredom and consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs. Falkenstein states that increased coolness factor, stress, and boredom are reasons why young people are drinking and smoking more during the pandemic.
The pandemic has also had a significant impact on mental health, with increased isolation and disruption of social supports heightening mental health issues. This, in turn, has led to an increased reliance on substances as coping mechanisms. Substances like nicotine and alcohol can serve as temporary relief, providing relaxation and temporarily alleviating fears and worries.
However, the changes in drug supply during the pandemic have also increased the risk of overdose. Changes in drug supply, including more dangerous adulterants like fentanyl and xylazine, have made substances more potent and deadly. From 2019 to 2020, overdoses among persons aged 14-18 increased from 2.36 to 4.57 per 100,000 population.
The rise in overdose rates is not solely due to higher drug use rates but also to more potent substances being added to drug supplies. This is a worrying trend, particularly among young people who may be less aware of the risks associated with these substances.
Another concerning trend is the misuse of prescription opioids. Prescription opioid abuse, especially hydrocodone (Vicodin), showed a surge in misuse in the early 2000s, with a peak opioid dispensing rate in 2012. Although some regulation has reduced prescriptions since then, in 2020 there were over 56,000 deaths involving prescription opioid pain relievers.
The rise in prescription opioid misuse is a reflection of ongoing challenges with opioid and other prescription drug misuse. From 2009 to 2019, legal drug-related health issues increased, with particular concern about overdose rates among youth and the rise in prescription opioid misuse.
Furthermore, injection drug use rose in nonurban areas, leading to higher risks of hepatitis C and HIV among young people under 30. This highlights injection drug use as a critical risk factor in increased substance use and related health consequences.
In conclusion, the increase in legal drug-related health issues from 2009 to 2019 reflects ongoing challenges with opioid and other prescription drug misuse. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified substance use among young people due to mental health impacts, social disruption, and more dangerous drug supplies, leading to higher overdose rates and infectious disease risks in certain populations. Early prevention and addressing underlying causes such as psychological illnesses like depression due to stress and loneliness are crucial to combat this rising tide of substance use among young people.
[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Overdose Death Rates. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis/overdose-death-rates
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Prescription Opioid Overdose Data. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/prescribing/index.html
[3] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Injection Drug Use. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/injection-drug-use
[4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2020-nsduh-annual-national-results-detailed-tables
