While daily marijuana use has been steadily increasing in prevalence among young adults over the past decade, the level has reached an all-time high in non-college young adults to nearly three times that of their college peers. The biggest division between the groups, however, was seen in annual, past month, and daily cigarette smoking rates. This section features the most recent Monitoring the Future national survey results on substance use in this age group, including patterns of marijuana and alcohol use, nicotine use, and non-medical use of prescription drugs. It also covers newer trends, such as e-vaporizers and hookahs. New this year, the survey identified statistics related to e-vaporizer use of nicotine and marijuana separately from other smoking forms. This section also has resources for students, parents, educators, dorm supervisors, counselors, clinicians, and researchers who work with this age group.
Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2017 Infographic
Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-2017. Volume II: College students and adults ages 19-50 (PDF, 7MB) [Monitoringthefuture.org]
Learn more about:
Thinking about a career in Addiction Science?
- College Addiction Studies Programs
- Summer Internship Program at the NIH
- About the Addiction Medicine Subspecialty
Interested in holding an event during National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® that focuses on reaching college-age young adults?
- What is National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week®?
- College Event Toolkit
- Prevention Profiles: Take Five - Dr. Nora Volkow (NIDA) (Podcast, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Campus Drug Prevention)
Related Publications
Related Policy Briefs
Related Infographics
Related Resources
Resources for College Students and Parents
-
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Campus Drug Prevention
- Drugs and Paraphernalia – a one-stop reference for everything related to drugs—from their appearance, paraphernalia, effects on the body and more. Please note: The content you are about to see contains pictures of drugs or drug use. Such pictures can cause problems for people who are addicted to drugs.
- Views from the Field – articles offering federal, national, state, and local perspectives across the nation.
- Podcasts – Podcast series, "Prevention Profiles: Take Five"
-
U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA): College Women’s Campaign
provides information on health topics such as safe medication use, sleep problems, and birth control. Sample messages are also provided for student leaders and college health professionals to use in their outreach. -
American College Health Association: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs/Substance Use
This page is an index of ACHA and other resources on this topic. Resources include association projects, programs, publications, guidelines, and more. -
Behavioral Health among College Students Information & Resource Kit (PDF, 7MB)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) -
The College Life Study at the Center on Young Adult Health and Development
an NIH-funded project at the University of Maryland that aims to understand the health-related behaviors of young adults during a critical life transition. -
College Parents Matter
Tools and scripts to improve communication with your college student. -
JED foundation’s U Lifeline
ULifeline is an anonymous, confidential, online resource center - where college students can be comfortable searching for the information they need and want regarding emotional health. -
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
This national nonprofit research and policy organization is focused on improving the understanding, prevention, and treatment of substance use and addiction. They conduct and synthesize research, inform and guide the public, evaluate and improve health care, and analyze and recommend policies on substance use and addiction. -
Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing the devastation that addiction to prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol causes to families. - Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do If You Have a Problem with Drugs
Get this Publication
Research Reports
Research Reports
This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.
Drugs + Your Body: It Isn't Pretty
Alcohol and You
Featured Publication
Drugs: SHATTER THE MYTHS
Answers teens’ most frequently asked questions about drugs and abuse with scientific facts and engaging images.
