IL: U of I study finds alcohol use by Illinois teens double the national average
WCIA.com
By Molly Sweeney
May 8, 2025
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) – A study conducted by the Center for Prevention Research and Development at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has found “troubling new trends” in alcohol and drug use among Illinois teens.
The study is conducted every other year and collects data on health and social issues like substance use, bullying and other issues in Illinois students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades.
In 2024, data showed that alcohol use by teens in Illinois was nearly double the national average. 13.7% of Illinois students said they had consumed alcohol during the last 30 days, compared to 6.9% of students nationwide.
Among Illinois teens who reported drinking alcohol, 8% of 12th graders, 4% of 10th graders and 1% of eighth graders had reported binge drinking, according to the researchers.
Substance use among teens declined during the COVID-19 pandemic nationwide. But, about 10% of Illinois eighth graders reported they had received alcohol through home delivery services, according to Doug Smith, center director and a professor of social work at the U of I.
“This is a newer trend that started when retailers moved to online delivery during the pandemic,” Smith said. “It may be time to think about what regulatory approaches, if any, are needed to prevent kids from ordering alcohol online.”
Some teens also reported problems with marijuana and other drugs. Smith noted that reports of cyclical vomiting syndrome, where teens may experience episodes of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, among other symptoms, has been increasing. Cyclical vomiting syndrome can be associated with high-dose cannabis.
Heavy marijuana use was reported by 1% of eighth graders, 3% of 10th graders and 5% of 12th graders.
About 21% of eighth grade students and 28% and 39% of those in the 10th and 12th grades said they drank alcohol or used marijuana, sniffed glue or gases, or smoked e-cigarettes or other vaping products. Only 1% of 8th and 10th graders and 2% of seniors said they used drugs like ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin or hallucinogens/LSD.
A small portion of high schoolers, 5% of sophomores and seniors, said they were in recovery from a substance use problem. While this is a small part of youth in Illinois, Smith said it represents several thousand young people in Illinois. This number indicates that there may be a benefit to specialized programming, like an an accredited secondary school that serves young people recovering from addictions.
Smith said this is not an option currently available in Illinois, unlike in other states.
To read more details about the study’s findings, visit the U of I News Bureau online. You can also find the full report here. The 2024 Illinois Youth Survey was funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery with a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.