Statistics on Young Adult Substance Use

Drug and alcohol use is a significant problem across the country. Some of the most affected age groups are young adults, ages 18-25. The implications of the statistics on young adult substance use can be staggering. If a young man in your life is struggling with the effects of drug or alcohol use, it may be time to seek out a men’s treatment center in North Carolina. To learn more about your treatment options, contact Red Oak Recovery^® today.

What is Substance Use?

Before we discuss the statistics on young adult substance use, it’s essential to know what substance use is. Most experts define the term by saying that substance use is the overindulgence or dependence on a substance that is addictive.

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there are 11 symptoms of a substance use issue. If you have two or three of these symptoms, you may have a mild addiction. However, if you have four or five of these symptoms, you likely have a moderate addiction, and six or more indicate a severe addiction. The symptoms are as follows:

You take the substance for longer or in more significant amounts than you meant to
You want to or have tried to cut down on your substance use, but cannot do it alone
You’re spending a significant amount of time getting, using, or recovering from using the substance
You’ve experienced cravings or urges to use the substance
You’re unable to manage to complete responsibilities at work, school, or home due to using the substance
You continue to use the substance though it causes problems in your relationships
You’ve given up social, professional, and recreational activities due to substance use
You continue to use the substance though it puts you in danger
Despite physical and psychological problems that the substance causes or worsen, you continue to use it
You’ve developed a tolerance, meaning you need more of the substance to get the same effect
You’ve developed withdrawal symptoms, which only go away when you take more of the substance.

Whether you struggle with a severe or mild addiction, it’s critical to seek treatment as soon as possible. A mild addiction is easier to treat than a severe one.

What Do the Statistics on Young Adult Substance Use Say?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, they estimate that 55.1% of young adults used alcohol in 2018. In the same survey, close to 38.7% of young adults had used any illicit drug in the past year.

Of course, using drugs or alcohol does not necessarily indicate that addiction is present. However, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also reported that about 3.4 million young adults ages 18-25 were addicted to alcohol. Furthermore, 2.6 million young adults in the same age range struggled with an addiction to an illicit drug.

When an addiction is present, the best way to move towards recovery is by attending a substance use treatment center. In 2018, about 5.2 million young adults needed addiction treatment. However, only 547,000 of that number received any treatment in the same year. Clearly, we still struggle with a significant stigma about addiction and addiction treatment.

Contact Red Oak Recovery^® Today

If the statistics on young adult substance use prove one thing, it’s that American young adults desperately need addiction treatment. At Red Oak Recovery^®, we offer exemplary addiction treatment for young men. With a combination of holistic and evidence-based treatments, we give you the best possible chance at recovery. Our treatments include:

To learn more about the implications of the statistics on young adult substance use, contact Red Oak Recovery^® today at 866.457.7590.