Trends in Addiction in Young Adults
Today, young adults are faced with enormous pressure. From social anxiety to social media, from academic to professional, there are endless sources of pressure that have contributed to high levels of mental health disorders and addiction.
For young adults, one of the biggest risks is called the “invisible opioid risk” and refers to the prevalence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills or high-potency opioids. This makes it all the more likely that young adults will inadvertently consume things like fentanyl through what appear to be prescription Adderall or Xanax.
In half of the cases, young adults with addiction also experience an untreated mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
Since the start of 2026, there has also been a trend of polysubstance abuse among young adults, mixing medications like ADHD medication with opioids or alcohol, increasing the risk of addiction and accidental overdose.
Signs of Addiction in Young Adults
Those between ages 18 and 25 who are struggling with addiction may have hidden signs, behaviors that overlap with the behaviors to be expected for young people who are transitioning into a new job, a new school, or living on their own.
Still, there are some common signs and behaviors that can indicate the need for help:
- Academic or Professional Decline: A sudden, unexplained drop in grades, class attendance, missed shifts at work, or a loss of interest in previously held career goals can be a behavioral sign of addiction.
- Social Isolation and Peer Shifting: While a change in friend groups and social circles can happen during different life stages, if a young adult is pulling away from long-term friends in favor of a new social circle, particularly one where substance abuse is involved, it could be indicative of an issue.
- Emotional Volatility: Though this may be expected during times of life changes and transitions, those who have intense mood swings, Increased irritability, or defensiveness may be struggling with addiction.
- Financial Instability: Being a poor college student is to be expected, but when frequent, unexplained requests for money become the norm, or a young adult is suddenly selling their more valuable personal items, it can be an indicator of a larger issue.
Moreover, young adults who stop taking care of themselves, their hygiene, or their home might be in need. This is when it is time to call NY Center for Living.
Get Help Today with NY Center for Living
Trusted by New Yorkers for over 15 years, we offer personalized care with lasting outcomes. Our goal is to offer discreet, convenient treatment for youth and their families that combines psychiatry and therapy for lasting recovery from addiction.
We achieve this with individualized care. We know that young adults struggle with unending obligations, personal and professional. That’s why we work with our clients to find outpatient toolkits that work.
At NY Center for Living, we also know that addiction is often rooted in mental health disorders. That’s why we focus on recovery for co-occurring disorders through community and evidence-based treatment. With things like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, clients can gain the tools and skills they need to meet their psychological and emotional needs.
Find the Help You Need
Addiction in young adults often manifests in a similar fashion as it does in adults, with issues relating to mood swings, absenteeism, financial struggle, and other unexplained changes to behavior and lifestyle.
If you are worried about a young adult in your life who may or may not be struggling with addiction, you can call NY Center for Living. With our personalized treatment programs, we aim to ensure that young adults are given access to individual and group therapy as well as things like peer support groups to encourage socialization and long-term sobriety.
We can help you find a way out. Call us now: 646-692-0034.
FAQ
Will I Notice Signs of Addiction in a Young Adult?
While there are signs of addiction, there is also what is called “high-functioning” addiction. This classification can make it more challenging to see what might be more common signs in others. Young adults who have a “functional addiction” are still able to attend classes, go to work, and even excel, and continue other normal activities without issue.
In these situations, the symptoms are more internal rather than external. That same high-functioning individual might have an increased tolerance, internal preoccupation with substance abuse, or an inability to cut back or quit despite a desire or previous attempts. If you are worried about a young adult in your life, contact our team today.
Are Young Adult Rehab Programs Better?
Programs designed specifically for young adults, ages 18-25, can be more beneficial than mixed-age groups because they can address the unique social, psychological, and developmental needs during young adulthood.
With our young adult programs at NY Center for Living, we tailor our development support to help offer therapeutic interventions that focus on essential life skills, family involvement, peer support, and community. A big part of that community comes from building connections with others who have gone through similar struggles, like finishing school, starting a career, or finding a first job, navigating social media pressure, or social anxiety.
How Many Young Adults Have an Addiction?
Approximately 1 in 10 young adults has an alcohol use disorder, and 1 in 7 has a substance use disorder. Forty percent report using an illicit substance in the last year.
What is the Overdose Rate for Young Adults?
The overdose rate across the US is 13.5 per 100,000 young adults between the ages of 15 and 24.
What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?
Young adults in New York have the highest rates of substance abuse and mental health struggles compared to any other age group. Over 33 percent report struggling with mental health, 40 percent noting depression most days of the week, and 37 percent reporting anxiety regularly. The rates of poor mental health among college students have risen, too; 73 percent of college students with mental health conditions report experiencing crises on campus.
At the same time, young adults have the highest rates of substance abuse, both drugs and alcohol. Co-occurring disorders refer to those young adults who struggle with both substance abuse and addiction. Around 2.4 million young adults across the nation have a co-occurring disorder, but only 1.6 percent of them get the care they need.
With NY Center for Living, we aim to ensure teens, young adults, and adults can find reliable, effective outpatient care. That includes treatment for co-occurring disorders.
