Part 7/10:
The Changing Nature of Substance Use
The shift from social to solitary consumption of substances such as weed reflects broader changes in social norms. Whereas marijuana once served as a social drug—something shared among friends—its current usage pattern among Gen Z tends to be more introverted:
THC vapes and edibles are often used at home, alone.
Higher dosages are common, which can intensify effects and risks.
Decreased social interaction around drug use reduces opportunities for shared experience and the kind of growth traditionally associated with youthful experimentation.
This trend may exacerbate feelings of isolation, further distancing young people from the communal aspects of adolescence and early adulthood.