Gen-X more realistic and less idealistic. While alcohol continues to be the major drug of abuse, the proportion of clients reporting alcohol as the drug they use most frequently has declined while reported use of some other drugs has gone up, particularly cannabis and opiates. Over three-quarters of problem gambling clients indicate they also have problems with substance use. Many clients, including those who are self-referred, are in greater distress with medical and psychiatric complications than were clients seen in earlier years. Increasingly, however, those women coming to treatment use multiple substances, are long-term users, are heavy users, and have concurrent problems in other life areas.
Cocaine is a popular drug among injection drug users.
The Future Alcohol Over the last ten years the use of alcohol has been declining. However, it continues to be the drug of choice among Albertans, and consumption trends may reverse. The decline in use is partly explained by the Baby Boom cohort, who naturally reduced their consumption as they matured, pursued careers and raised their families. As we move into the twenty-first century, the Baby Boomers, as well as the Baby Bust and Echo generations, will influence trends in alcohol consumption and related problems. As the Baby Boom generation gets older, alcohol consumption should continue to decline.