Recent research has brought to light a concerning trend among Generation Z women, particularly those aged 18 to 25. Women in this age group are exhibiting higher rates of stimulant abuse and binge drinking as compared to their male peers and older age groups.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry revealed that nearly 37% of females in this age bracket reported misusing prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin within the past year. This figure far surpasses the 25% reported by women aged 26 to 34, and the 13.7% by those aged 35 to 64. While men also reported substantial misuse rates, the prevalence among young women was notably higher.
Mental health experts suggest that social pressures—ranging from academic excellence and career achievements to maintaining perfect profile on social media—may be driving young women toward stimulant misuse as a means to enhance their performance and energy levels. Stacey Ross, a mental health specialist at AddictionResource.net, noted, "There's pressure to have the perfect grades, perfect body, be super popular on social media, and appear to have it all figured out." For many young women, this is too much to handle on their own.
Aside from stimulant misuse, binge drinking among young women has also surpassed that of their male counterparts. A separate study found that 31.6% of women aged 18 to 25 engaged in binge drinking - defined as consuming four or more drinks on a single occasion - outpacing the rates among men in the same age group. This marks a complete reversal of previous trends, where men typically exhibited higher binge drinking rates than women.
The convergence of these behaviors in young women raises significant concerns, especially considering the increased vulnerability of women to alcohol-related health issues, including liver disease, heart problems, and cancer. Experts emphasize the urgent need for targeted prevention and intervention efforts to address these disturbing patterns among young women.
For a more detailed account, you can refer to the original article by the New York Post here: https://nypost.com/2025/04/26/health/gen-z-women-binge-drink-abuse-stimulants-the-most-research/