(This was originally written in 2015. I updated the data and cleaned up the formatting in 2026).

Recent national data show persistently high rates of substance use among young adults.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH, 2022 data):

• About 38% of young adults ages 18–25 report past-month binge drinking
• About 22% report past-month marijuana use
• About 15% report past-month use of other illicit drugs including cocaine hallucinogens and stimulants
• About 6% report past-year misuse of prescription pain relievers

Do not disregard these behaviors. Young adults who misuse substances are more likely to:

• get injured or experience accidents
• develop mental health disorders
• have academic or work problems
• engage in impaired judgment that can lead to sexual assault or legal issues
• experience suicidal ideation or attempts

If you are the parent of someone aged 18 to 25, you have likely seen some of these patterns already or have legitimate concerns.

I have worked with adolescents and young adults in high schools universities inpatient programs outpatient programs and private practice for over two decades. Based on that experience and the research literature, here are clear and practical recommendations.

---

What Parents Can Do Before Problems Escalate

1. Be a role model.
Young adults with parents who misuse alcohol or drugs are significantly more likely to develop substance use disorders themselves.

2. Talk directly about substance use.
Conversations about school friends stress and substance use should be regular and direct. Try to avoid shaming, which I can understand is a tough ask.

3. Prioritize shared activities.
Too many family relationships become limited to logistics such as shopping cooking and cleaning. Shared recreational activities build trust and reduce defensiveness.

---

If You Suspect a Substance Problem

1. Seek professional help immediately.
Early engagement with a therapist who specializes in substance misuse improves outcomes.

2. Accept that the entire household is affected.
Living with someone who has a substance problem impacts everyone. Denial delays change.

3. Remove substances from the home.
Do not keep alcohol marijuana or misused prescription drugs in the house.

4. Avoid using substances around your young adult.
Abstinence creates a safer and more predictable environment.

5. Engage in support networks.
Attend Al-Anon meetings for family members and attend an open AA speaker meeting on your own to better understand recovery culture. I suggest attending six Al-Anon meetings and at least three open AA meetings. In-person meetings are far better than on-line meetings.

6. Set clear rules and boundaries.
You may have power over the phone, internet, car, tuition, rent and other expenses. Rules should be tied to financial assistance. Unenforced rules and consequences means that there aren’t any rules.

7. Protect the family system.
Make time each week for other family members so one person’s struggles do not eclipse everyone else.

8. Take care of yourself.
Maintain your own hobbies social life and if needed seek individual therapy.

---

What the Research Consistently Shows

• Frequency and intensity matter. Daily or near-daily marijuana use and binge drinking are associated with cognitive emotional and motivational problems.
• Early intervention matters. The sooner treatment begins the better the long-term outcomes.
• Environment matters. Young adults do better in structured supportive settings than in chaotic or enabling ones.

---

Why This Matters

Young adulthood is a critical developmental period involving brain maturation identity formation and movement toward independence. Substance misuse during this phase often:

• disrupts education
• undermines career development
• damages relationships
• delays independence
• worsens mental health symptoms

Without treatment these patterns tend to deepen over time.

---

A Final Reality

Young adults with substance problems can still build productive meaningful lives. Timing matters. Early structured intervention expands opportunity. I experienced early consequences from my own substance misuse from my parents, school and the local police. My mother attended Al-Anon and I was sent to therapy and eventually to treatment. I entered into recovery on 12/17/1995 at the age of 19.

After reading this you cannot say you were not told.