Why Is Gen Z At A Higher Risk for Addiction

High Rates of Addiction in Gen Z

Individuals within the gen z population are experiencing similar struggles with substance abuse as previous generations have. Drug addiction and alcohol addiction can impact the lives of anyone regardless of their age. When you develop a substance use disorder, it can feel as though your alcohol abuse or illicit drug abuse can feel like a never ending cycle of addiction that can feel difficult to find your way out of. There has been extensive research and longitudinal study that demonstrate the increasing risk of individuals within generation z to develop substance use disorders at an alarmingly higher rate that their parents generation. In one study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, there were 4.2 million young people between the ages of 12-20 that reported concerns with binge drinking behaviors. This number demonstrates that the risk factors for developing an addiction for today’s youth have increased and youth of America are in need of support from loved ones and addiction treatment programs to help treat drug or alcohol abuse before it becomes a severe addiction.

4 Reasons Gen Z Is At A Higher Risk of Developing An Addiction

Generation Z has been known to be at a higher risk for developing a drug or alcohol addiction for many compounding factors that your parents’ generation were not exposed to. 

• Mental health Concerns- Generation Z has experienced higher levels of addiction and mental health compared to other generations including the millennial generations. Generation Z has been known to have the highest rate of Americans that are living with depression. Along with high rates of depression, Gen Z has had higher rates of mood disorders including anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. As you experience symptoms of a mental health concern, many will turn to drugs and alcohol as a method of managing unpleasant or distressing side effects. What begins as a method of self medicating can quickly spiral into a drug or alcohol addiction. 
• Social Media- The way that generation z socially interact with one another is substantially different that your parents generation or the millennial generations. Most young people now communicate with one another over social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. These methods of interaction are a less formal and personable form of ways to socially interact. While the ability to connect with anyone around the world should help people to feel connected, many Gen Z are struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. In an attempt to connect and fit in with peers, young people are participating in online trends and challenges including the benadryl challenge where individuals engage in prescription drug abuse and film their reactions. 
• Normalization of substance abuse among young people- Compared to your parents generation, alcohol abuse and drug abuse have become a common occurrence that is socially acceptable. Whereas, in previous generations, engaging in substance abuse was a social taboo and stigmatized by others. With the normalization of substance abuse, many gen z individuals fail to see the damages that can be caused by drug or alcohol abuse. 
• Lack of access to health care- Health care for Americans has become unaffordable for many. This has left many Americans to attempt to treat ongoing physical health or mental health concerns by self medicating with drugs and alcohol. 

Getting Help for Substance Abuse at Quantum Treatment

For Generation Z individuals that are concerned about your drug abuse and alcohol abuse and are ready to address them within an addiction treatment program, Quantum Behavioral Health offers an alcohol and drug rehab program that will support you in successfully overcoming your substance use disorders. Patients within our addiction treatment programs will be provided with the following treatment methods:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy 
• Family Therapy 
• Dual Diagnosis treatment 
• Holistic treatments including art therapy and music therapy. 
• Relapse prevention tool development 
• Life skills development 

Our team will provide you with an individualized treatment program that is centered around your specific needs and goals for addiction recovery. Contact us today at (609) 993-0733 to hear more about the drug rehab and alcohol rehab programs within our recovery center and get started on your road to recovery.