"Who Drinks These Days?" The Betrayal of the 'Health-Conscious' Gen Z: Binge Drinking and Drug Use on the Rise [Experiment Note]

UCL Cohort Study in the UK: Analysis of 10,000 Participants

Sharp Rise in Alcohol and Drug Use in Early 20s

The Reversal of the "Non-Drinking Generation"

Editor's NoteOne now, or two if you wait. Do you remember watching children's choices in the marshmallow experiment? Sometimes, simple studies can change the way we see life. Let's take a fresh look at our daily lives through the lens of experimental data.

Last month, Heineken, the world's second-largest beer company, announced plans to lay off up to 6,000 employees over the next two years. This move is attributed to sluggish beer sales as Millennials & Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2006) are drinking less alcohol. In fact, various surveys show that drinking rates among young people are lower than those of previous generations. Millennials & Gen Z have even earned the nickname "Generation Sensible."

In Japan, footage has emerged showing teenagers exhibiting abnormal behavior due to zombie cigarettes. TikTok.

However, recent research suggests a more nuanced story. New findings indicate that while alcohol and drug use are relatively limited during adolescence, they tend to increase rapidly in the early twenties.

Researchers at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) at University College London (UCL) recently published an analysis based on the “Millennium Cohort Study.” This long-term study tracked about 10,000 individuals born in the UK between 2000 and 2002. The researchers compared substance use behaviors (alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc.) at ages 17 and 23.

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According to the study, 68% of 23-year-olds reported binge drinking at least once in the past year—a 15 percentage point increase from 53% at age 17. In this study, binge drinking was defined as consuming six or more drinks on a single occasion. The proportion of people who said they binge drink at least once a month also rose from 10% to 29%.

The same trend was observed for drug use. While 31% of respondents at age 17 reported having used cannabis, this figure rose to 49% by age 23. The proportion of those who said they had tried so-called "hard drugs" such as cocaine, ketamine, or ecstasy increased more than threefold from 10% to 32%.

'The Non-Drinking Generation'—With a Twist

This phenomenon is not confined to a single country. In Japan, new types of drug problems have emerged in recent years. There have been signs of the spread of so-called "Zombie Tobacco," an illegal e-cigarette product containing narcotics, with teenagers being seen collapsing and convulsing on the streets. There have also been reports that "betel nut," a Southeast Asian fruit with stimulant effects, is being distributed among young people in Japan.

South Korea is no exception. Drug use is spreading rapidly among young people. According to Supreme Prosecutors’ Office data, there were 13,899 drug offenders in their 20s and 30s in South Korea last year. This is more than triple the 4,183 cases recorded in 2015, ten years earlier. The proportion of drug offenders in this age group among all drug offenders also surged from 35.1% to 59.4%.

Cannabis Instead of Alcohol? "Alcohol Substitution Effect"

The generational shift toward drinking less alcohol does not necessarily mean a decline in drug or substance use. In a survey conducted this January by researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health in the US, people who drank beverages containing cannabis reported a significant decrease in their alcohol consumption. About 60% of respondents said they reduced or stopped drinking after using cannabis-infused beverages. The researchers interpreted this as a possible "alcohol substitution effect."

In regions where cannabis is legal, such as some US states and Canada, the cannabis beverage market is growing rapidly as an alternative to alcohol. Some beverage brands have even introduced drinks containing "tetrahydrocannabinol" (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. Aaron Nosbisch, the founder of the cannabis beverage brand "BREZ," even became a billionaire.

In June last year, a new type of electronic cigarette-style drug was caught by the National Intelligence Service while attempting to be smuggled into the country. Yonhap News

However, cannabis is not necessarily a healthier choice. Use can increase the risk of dependency or addiction. In South Korea, cannabis remains strictly regulated under the Narcotics Control Act and Cannabis Control Act. Simply possessing cannabis can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Experts especially warn that the transition from late adolescence to the early twenties is a particularly vulnerable period. Katherine Severi, head of the Institute of Alcohol Studies in the UK, said in an interview with The Guardian, "Young people's brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to the effects of alcohol and drugs," adding, "The rise in binge drinking and drug use in the early twenties is a worrying sign."

The Paradox of a Healthy Generation

Millennials & Gen Z are often called the "healthy generation." Statistics show they smoke less and drink less alcohol. Health trends such as vegetarianism and low-sugar diets are also spreading rapidly through social networking services (SNS).

But at the same time, studies are reporting increases in binge drinking and drug use. The coexistence of a health-conscious lifestyle and the use of risky substances may be a sign of polarization in the culture of Millennials & Gen Z.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.