Overview
- The study presented Monday found 57.9% of 15–29‑year‑olds are not habitual alcohol consumers and that among past or current drinkers 35.6% report cutting back while 17.3% say they have stopped.
- Despite the drop in regular use, about six in ten young people still drink frequently or occasionally, keeping alcohol central to many social scenes and prompting pressure to conform.
- Energy drinks are widespread: roughly half of young people consume them and two in ten who use both alcohol and energy drinks say they mix them often even though three in four see the combination as very harmful.
- Reported short‑term harms linked to youth drinking include overspending (20.1%), sleep problems (16.8%), and feelings of sadness or apathy (15.5%), which public‑health officials cite when adapting prevention.
- Public bodies including Madrid Salud and national drug‑policy offices are launching targeted outreach at festivals and nightlife and an educator platform to map local drivers of consumption and design tailored prevention; long‑term EDADES data show the 15–24 group has cut habitual use by nearly 60% since 2006.