Middle-aged adults report record highs in marijuana, hallucinogen, and binge drinking use: survey.
Record Highs: Marijuana, Hallucinogen Use, and Binge Drinking Soar Among Middle-Aged Adults
A new survey reveals that the use of marijuana, hallucinogens, and binge drinking has reached unprecedented levels among middle-aged adults. According to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future panel study, a record 28% of adults aged 35 to 50 reported using marijuana last year, more than double the percentage from a decade ago. This surge in marijuana use is the highest since data was first collected in 2008.
Notably, nearly 7% of mid-life adults reported daily marijuana use, defined as using the drug 20 or more times in the past 30 days.
Hallucinogens on the Rise
Hallucinogenic drug use also hit record levels among middle-aged adults. Over 4% of mid-life adults admitted to using hallucinogens last year, the highest level since 2008. Additionally, about 12% of middle-aged adults reported using drugs other than marijuana, including hallucinogens like LSD, cocaine, amphetamines, sedatives, and heroin.
Binge Drinking Reaches New Heights
Binge drinking has also reached record levels among middle-aged adults. Approximately 29% of mid-life adults confessed to consuming five or more drinks in a row within the past two weeks, the highest since it was first measured in 2008.
Amphetamine use has seen a significant increase over the last decade as well. Just over 3% of mid-life adults reported using amphetamines in the past year, compared to just over 1% in 2012.
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Young Adults Also Experience Record Highs
Marijuana use has surged to a record level among young adults under 30. Nearly 44% of adults aged 19 to 30 used marijuana last year, with over 11% reporting daily marijuana use.
Furthermore, hallucinogen use other than LSD rose to a record 7% among young adults, although LSD use declined.
Survey Details
The annual University of Michigan survey, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), collects data from approximately 28,500 people across the country.
“Substance use is not limited to teens and young adults, and these data help us understand how people use drugs across the lifespan,” said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow in a press release on the survey. “Understanding these trends is a first step, and it is crucial that research continues to illuminate how substance use and related health impacts may change over time.”
Loneliness Epidemic and Legalization Impact
The increase in drug use and binge drinking coincides with growing concerns about a loneliness “epidemic.” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the impact of rapid societal changes on loneliness, stating that even with many people around, one can still feel lonely due to the quality of connections.
The rise in marijuana use aligns with the decriminalization and legalization of the drug in various states. Recreational marijuana use is now legal in the District of Columbia and 23 states, including New York, Illinois, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Montana.
However, illegal markets continue to thrive even in states where marijuana is legal. For instance, New York City has experienced disappointing tax revenue from legal marijuana sales while the illegal market flourishes.
Concerns about marijuana smoking becoming a nuisance have also emerged. Several Minnesota cities have considered banning smoking marijuana in public areas, and some have already implemented such bans.
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