Introduction

Substance use disorders (SUDs), which include substance dependence or abuse, have a tremendous impact on individuals, families, and communities. SUDs occur when recurrent alcohol or illicit drug use causes clinically significant impairment, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. Reducing SUDs and related problems among adults is critical for mental and physical health, safety, and quality of life.

Substance use among young adults aged 18-25 in the United States has become a significant public health concern in recent years. This demographic, often referred to as "emerging adults," faces unique challenges and pressures that can contribute to substance experimentation and abuse. Understanding the patterns, causes, and consequences of substance use in this age group is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Prevalence and Patterns

The prevalence of substance use among youths aged 18-25 years is alarmingly high in the United States. In 2021, the percentage of people aged 12 or older with an SUD was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (25.6% or 8.6 million people), followed by adults aged 26 or older (16.1% or 35.5 million people), then by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (8.5% or 2.2 million people).

According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 38% of individuals in this age group reported using illicit drugs in the past year, with marijuana being the most commonly used substance. The legalization of marijuana in several states has contributed to its increased use, with many young adults perceiving it as less harmful compared to other illicit drugs. Additionally, the misuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioids and stimulants, remains a significant concern, as these substances are often readily accessible and falsely believed to be safer.

Alcohol remains the most commonly used substance among emerging adults, with binge drinking and heavy alcohol use prevalent in this age group. The NSDUH report highlighted that nearly 32% of young adults engaged in binge drinking in the past month, and 9.5% reported heavy alcohol use. These behaviors are often linked to social situations, such as college parties and other gatherings, where there is peer pressure to drink excessively.

Tobacco Product Use or Nicotine Vaping, in 2021, 13.2 million people aged 12 or older (4.7%) used an e-cigarette or other vaping device to vape nicotine in the past month. The percentage of people who vaped nicotine was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (14.1% or 4.7 million people), followed by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (5.2% or 1.4 million people), then by adults aged 26 or older (3.2% or 7.1 million people). Opioids, 9.2 million people 12 and older misused opioids in the past year.