Young adulthood is a very distinct development life stage, and during this stage, individuals are at a time of increased risk behaviors. These increased risk behaviors could be due to new autonomy, social reorientation from family to peers, and maturing cognitive functioning. This study tracks historical patterns of substance use, including the time of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic created heightened tensions across the world. This study also focuses on pandemic-linked changes in young adult substance use by summarizing global studies over this issue.
The research team used a longitudinal design and reported declines in alcohol-related harm in an Australian group. This pattern differed for countries across the world. For example, in the Swiss and U.K., studies showed a decreasing pattern in alcohol and cigarette use but heavy drinking had a quicker rebound. Meaning that those with a greater pre-pandemic substance use return to substance use quicker than those with no pre-pandemic substance use. U.S. reported different findings, being an increase in heavy drinking in the first year of the pandemic among college students. College students form a unique cohort for change in substance use. Students that moved back in with their families during the pandemic were found to be most likely to pause past-week tobacco use. On the other hand, another study that sampled 18-20-year-old who misuse prescription drugs had an increase in alcohol and marijuana use in the first two months of the pandemic and reported no change in nicotine use or prescription drug use. The increase in marijuana use was found greatest for those with higher financial strain and marijuana cravings. Nicotine uses increased the most among those with lower loneliness and higher financial strain.
Generally these longitudinal findings show that alcohol and tobacco use dropped following the pandemic lockdown across the globe but for many young adults roughly a year later their use rebounded. This trend is tentative and qualified. Few studies have reported findings from 2021 thus, more research is needed. Individuals’ differences are key to how the pandemic impacted young adult substance use. The pandemic lead to an increase in anxiety and depression for many young adults due to the rise in isolation and loneliness. The connection between the surging mental health crisis and substance use is still playing out but the research should start now.
Takeaway: Alcohol and tobacco use dropped following the pandemic lockdown among young adults but roughly a year later many rebounded.