AT 23-YEARS-OLD, 68% of Generation Z binge drank at least once in the last year, with almost one in three doing so at least monthly, new UCL research has found.
Binge Drinking Among Gen Z
Emerging reports suggest that Gen Z is increasingly sober curious but, according to the Millennium Cohort Study, binge drinking (having six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting) is on the rise.
Rates of regular binge drinking among Gen Z have tripled since their late teens.
They are also higher than those reported by millennials when they were the same age.
Dr Aase Villadsen, lead author of the study, said: “Recent reports have suggested that young people are increasingly turning their backs on drinking alcohol compared to earlier born generations.
“However, our new study appears to show that this might not be the case for some members of Gen Z as they reach their early 20s.”
Drug Use and Gambling
The study collects data on 19,000 people born between 2000-2002 across the UK.
As well as alcohol use, it tracks data on various demographics, smoking, gambling, and drug use.
Less than 10% of Gen Z reported smoking at 23, a minimal change from when they were 17-years-old.
Although, Gen Z seems to have picked up vaping, 3% of whom vaped at 17-years-old and 20% of whom reported vaping at 23-years-old.
One in three reported gambling, with almost 5% experiencing problems with addiction.
Nearly half have tried cannabis in the last year, and almost one third dabbled in harder drugs.
Reports Across Demographics
Men were more likely to binge drink frequently, smoke, use drugs, and report gambling problems.
Frequent binge drinking was notably higher in Scotland and Northern Ireland than in England or Wales.
Overall, substance use and addictive behaviours were generally more common among young people of White and Mixed heritage, less so among those of Asian and Black backgrounds.
Although, researchers noted the small sample sizes of ethnic minority groups limits an ability to detect statistically significant differences across groups with confidence.
The study highlighted the need for sustained and robust policy attention to substance use and addictive behaviours in young adults.
Reference
Villadsen A, Fitzsimons E. Substance use and addictive behaviours: initial findings from the Millennium Cohort Study at Age 23. 2026. Available at: https://cls.ucl.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Substance-use-and-addictive-behaviours-initial-findings-from-the-Millennium-Cohort-Study-at-age-23.pdf?_gl=1*eh1zbv*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI2NDkwMTI5NC4xNzcyNzg2MTEy*_ga_EYRQV4V0KV*czE3NzI3ODYxMTEkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzI3ODYyMzkkajYwJGwwJGgw. Last accessed: 6 March 2026.
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