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Alcohol and Drug Use Among Young People: Study Reveals Patterns of Use and the Most Vulnerable Groups in Brazil

A recent study involving more than 8,000 young Brazilians¹ revealed that alcohol and illicit drug use in the country is more frequent than indicated by previous surveys, especially among men, young people with lower levels of education, and those who report same-sex sexual experiences. The findings reinforce the central role of alcohol in patterns of polysubstance use and point to the urgent need for prevention and harm-reduction strategies that are more sensitive to social inequalities and the specific vulnerabilities of youth.

Alcohol consumption among young people and adolescents represents a significant public health problem worldwide, associated with greater exposure to risk behaviors and a range of negative health outcomes, such as unprotected sex, increased rates of teenage pregnancy, a higher risk of developing alcohol dependence in adulthood, deaths from traumatic causes, and impairments in cognitive and academic performance.

Studies in different countries, particularly in high-income nations, have indicated a trend toward reduced alcohol consumption among Generation Z youth, attributed both to increased abstinence in this age group and to lower levels of consumption among those who do drink.²

In Brazil, data from the 3rd National Survey on Alcohol and Drugs (LENAD III)³ showed that among adolescents aged 14 to 17 there was a consistent reduction, across all three survey waves, in both lifetime alcohol use and alcohol use in the previous year. Despite this trend, more than half of the Brazilian population (56%) tried alcohol before the legal age (18 years), and about one in four adolescents (25.5%) began regular consumption during this period. In addition, the study observed a significant decrease in binge drinking (five or more drinks on a single occasion), alongside an increase in the prevalence of heavy alcohol use (60 grams or more on a single occasion) among minors, highlighting the persistence of higher-risk drinking patterns.

In this context, a study recently published in Scientific Reports¹ analyzed the prevalence of and factors associated with alcohol and illicit drug use among Brazilian youth aged 16 to 25 years. The study employed a multicenter cross-sectional design, with data collected between 2016 and 2017 in all Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District.

A total of 8,581 young people participated, recruited mainly from Primary Health Care units. Information was obtained through structured face-to-face interviews conducted by trained professionals, addressing lifetime and past-year use of alcohol and illicit drugs, as well as sociodemographic, educational, economic, and behavioral variables.

The results showed that 71.6% of respondents reported lifetime alcohol use, and 66.5% reported alcohol consumption in the past year. About 30% had used at least one illicit drug, with cannabis being the most prevalent (27.4%), followed by cocaine (9.9%). The study also identified important gender differences, with men showing higher prevalence for all substances analyzed: alcohol (77.8%) and cannabis (37.3%). Another key finding was the strong association between alcohol consumption and illicit drug use, reinforcing the role of alcohol in polysubstance use patterns among young people. For example, cannabis use was 36.2% among alcohol consumers versus 5.3% among non-consumers.

Regarding frequency patterns, about 23% of young people reported drinking alcohol more than once a week, indicating a regular pattern of use. For cannabis, a substantial proportion of daily use was observed, especially among men. Although the use of other illicit drugs—such as cocaine, hallucinogens, and inhalants—was more sporadic, these patterns remain associated with significant risks, particularly when combined with alcohol consumption.

Other associated factors identified in the study included relationship status: participants without a partner had higher rates of alcohol and hallucinogen use. Greater vulnerability was also observed among young people who reported same-sex sexual experiences, who showed higher prevalence of use for all substances. From a socioeconomic perspective, the study revealed that young people from higher economic classes consume more alcohol, while lower educational attainment was strongly associated with the use of more harmful drugs, especially cocaine, with prevalence ratios higher than those observed among youth with higher levels of education.

Despite its relevance, the study has limitations. The cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences, and the sample restricted to young people receiving care in health services in capital cities limits the generalizability of the findings. In addition, the lack of data on consumption intensity or dependence restricts analyses of severity, although face-to-face interviews may have reduced underreporting bias.

Nevertheless, the study provides evidence that alcohol and illicit drug use among young Brazilians is high and unequal, disproportionately affecting certain social groups. The findings reinforce the need for more targeted prevention and harm-reduction strategies that take into account gender, educational level, social context, and sexual diversity.

References:

1. Brito E, Bessel M, Kops NL, Albrechet-Souza L, Moreno F, Koskan A, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol and illicit drug use among Brazilian youth: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports [Internet]. 2025 Dec 4 [cited 2025 Dec 15]; Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-31026-w_reference.pdf
2. Doyle, Anne. "Decline in alcohol use among young people: potential consequences for public health policy, legislation, and discourse." Drugnet Ireland (2022): 10-13. https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/37095/
3. Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). (2025). Terceiro Levantamento Nacional de Álcool e Drogas (LENAD III): Caderno Temático - Resultados Consumo de Álcool na População Brasileira. UNIFESP.