Young Adults: More Likely To Use Alcohol and Illicit Drugs Together, Drug Addiction

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) stated recently that an estimated 7.1 million current alcohol users reported using illicit drugs (primarily marijuana) at the same time they last used alcohol.

“Alcohol in combination with other drugs can make a lethal combination,” comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for Narconon Drug Rehab of Georgia. “Many drugs used with alcohol can have unexpected effects.

“Opiates, such as heroin, OxyContin, or methadone, when used with alcohol, can slow the heart-rate down to deadly levels.

“Using alcohol with amphetamines or cocaine can speed up the heart, causing a heart attack or a stroke.

“Either way, drug addiction is a serious risk for anyone using drugs.”

According to the report, youths ages 12 to 17 and young adults ages 18 to 25 were most likely to report concurrent alcohol and illicit drug use (14.2% and 13.5%,respectively), compared to 7.7% of adults ages 26 to 34 and less than 5% of older adults (see figure below).

Concurrent alcohol and illicit drug use was also more prevalent among males (7.1% vs. 3.9% for females) and among binge drinkers (13.9% vs. 3.8% for non-binge drinkers; data not shown). The authors suggest that “prevention and treatment providers should continue to emphasize the risks of using alcohol and illicit drugs together, with targeted messages for those groups at greatest risk for this behavior.”

*Source: Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, College Park.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an alcohol or other drug problem, contact Narconon today for immediate assistance.  Visit www.drugsno.com or call 1-877-413-3073.

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