U.S. research reveals that more young adults are refraining from alcohol

Washington: A new study shows that Americans in college drink less alcohol than they did nearly 20 years ago.

Between 2002 and 2018, 20% to 28% of college students and about 24% to 30% of out-of-school adults in the United States refrained from alcohol. Has increased. Researcher at the University of Michigan and Texas State University. And alcohol abuse in both groups was reduced by about half.

However, the study found an increase in the number of young adults who were not only using marijuana, but were also taking alcohol and marijuana together.

Overall, mixed findings show more positive trends than negative trends in alcohol and marijuana use and misuse among this age group, but progression still requires close monitoring, Researchers say.

In this study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, using data from a survey of 182,722 young people representing nationally, alcohol and marijuana abstinence, combination, and disability aged 18 to 22 were a function of university status. I investigated how it changed. grown up. We also looked at the use and misuse of prescription drugs as a function of alcohol and marijuana use from 2015 to 2018.

Researchers were particularly surprised by the reduced use and misuse of alcohol.
“We are encouraged by a significant reduction in alcohol use disorders for both college and non-university students,” said Sean, lead author of the UM School’s Center for Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health Research. Esteban McCabe says. Of nursing.

“The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in both groups in 2018 was about half that of 2002. These reductions in drinking disorders because alcohol-related results are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. I’m excited to know about. Young adults. “

Co-author Thai Shepis, a professor of psychology at Texas State University, said, “Even with increased marijuana use disorders and increased alcohol and marijuana use, our findings are highly anticipated. I will. “

“A more deserving concern is the increase in alcohol and marijuana combinations. We know that the use of multiple substances can have worse consequences and can be more difficult to treat. “He said.

In this study, more than three-quarters of people who disturbed both alcohol and marijuana use reported prescription and illicit drug use over the past year, with the majority reporting prescription drug misuse. I also understood that.

Research results show that substance use conditions have changed over the last two decades, with more young adults using or misusing several different substances, not just marijuana and alcohol.

“For example, between 2015 and 2018, only 2.5% of young people who refrained from both alcohol and marijuana reported prescription drug misuse, while 25.1% of co-users reported prescription drug misuse.” Said Schepis. “It’s a 10-fold difference with potentially dangerous consequences.”

Abuse of multiple substances is often more dangerous than abuse of a single substance.
“Interventions that focus on just one substance are less effective than interventions that take a more comprehensive multi-substance use perspective,” McCabe said.

“The results of our study enhance the complex task of healthcare professionals detecting and developing effective interventions to reduce the consequences associated with the use of multiple substances, such as the combination of alcohol and marijuana. I will. “

According to McCabe, schools and employers are doing more to expand interventions to address both disabled and non-disabled adolescents, such as screening for alcohol and marijuana combinations and simple interventions. May require resources.

“The discovery of increasing abstinence between college students and young adults who aren’t in college is very important to take into account the progress of US colleges,” he said. “These findings underscore the importance of helping those young adults in recovery and abstinence for other reasons. Over one million young people in the United States are recovering, and these We need a variety of resources to support individuals. ”(ANI)