Teenage Drug Use - A Statistical Guide

Teenage drug use remains an ongoing concern for parents, schools and communities across America. With teens facing new pressures and gaining independence, they may be more inclined to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Understanding the scope of teenage substance use can help guide prevention and intervention efforts. This statistical guide covers key trends, risks and solutions around addressing this critical issue.

Overview of Teenage Drug Use

National survey data shows that a significant proportion of teens use various legal and illegal substances. Key highlights include:

As of 2022, over 1 in 3 12th graders reported using an illicit drug sometime in the past year [1]. Marijuana remains the most commonly used illegal drug.
Around 60% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol recently [1]. Over 15% engaged in binge drinking in the prior two weeks [1].
In 10th grade, nearly 1 in 4 students reported misusing prescription amphetamines or opioids at least once [2]. Stimulant misuse is increasing.
Perceived risk and disapproval of marijuana use continues to decline among teens [1], potentially predictive of further increases in use.

These statistics illustrate the need for better preventative education and access to support resources. The following sections explore major drug categories being misused by teens…

Marijuana Use

Marijuana remains the most widely used illicit substance among teens. Key marijuana statistics include:

Lifetime marijuana use – Around 35% of 12th graders reported ever using marijuana during their lifetime [1]. This increases to nearly 50% for older teenagers aged 18-20 years old [3].
Past year marijuana use – 29% of 12th graders reported marijuana use in the past 12 months [1]. This equates to around 1 in 3 high school seniors.
Frequency of use – In 12th grade, nearly 20% reported using marijuana in just the past 30 days [1]. 11% reported using frequently (20 or more times) in the past 30 days [1].
Method of use – The majority of teen marijuana users report smoking it, while nearly 1 in 5 12th graders reported vaporizing marijuana in the past year [1]. Vaping poses unique health risks.
Trends – After years of increasing prevalence, teen marijuana use has largely stabilized since around 2010 [3]. Perceived risk and disapproval continues to decline [1].

As marijuana policies relax across the nation, it remains critical to educate teens on potential long-term and short-term health risks of use, impaired functioning, risk of addiction and effects on motivation and mental health….

Prescription Drug Misuse

After marijuana, prescription and over-the-counter medications make up a significant proportion of the illegal drug use reported by teens. Key data includes:

Lifetime medical use – Around 17% of 12th graders report taking prescription amphetamines, sedatives and opioids at some point in their lives [1]. ADHD stimulant use is common.
Past year medical use – In 2022, 12% of high school seniors used opioids, 9% used amphetamines and 5% used sedatives at least once in the past 12 months [1].
Misuse – An estimated 15% of 10th graders have misused prescription ADHD stimulants or opioids in their lifetime [2]. Past year misuse prevalence is lower.
Motivations – Teens misusing prescription stimulants like Adderall cite reasons like improving academic performance and partying longer [4].
Trends – The misuse of opioids and sedatives has declined recently among teens, while stimulant misuse is increasing slightly [1].

Diverting or misusing legitimately prescribed medications can negatively impact teens‘ health and development. It also contributes to addiction risk later in life….

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuse

Teens also misuse various legally available over-the-counter drugs, like cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) and antihistamines containing diphenhydramine. Consider that:

Up to 5-10% of adolescents have misused OTC cough/cold medications to get high [4]. Products with DXM or doxylamine succinate pose greatest risk.
Motivations cited include boredom, peer influence, stress relief, safer/easier to access than illicit drugs and misunderstanding health risks [5].
DXM abuse can produce dissociative, psychedelic effects at higher doses. Side effects may include impaired coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and erratic heartbeat [5].

Raising awareness of misuse potential even with legal OTCs remains an essential prevention priority….

Alcohol Use and Binge Drinking

Alcohol remains the most commonly used drug among teenagers. Key statistics include:

Lifetime drinking – Around 60% of 12th graders report drinking alcohol in their lives [1]. Lifetime use increases to 74% by ages 18-20 nationally [3].
Past month drinking – Almost 30% of 12th graders report drinking alcohol recently [1]. Frequency of use increases with age.
Binge drinking – Of 12th grade drinkers, over half report binge drinking (having 5+ drinks in a couple hours) at least once in the prior two weeks [1].
First use – The average age when 12th graders report having their first full alcoholic drink is age 14 [1]. This early onset is concerning.

Underage drinking poses substantial risks related to alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, neurological development, addiction risk and drunk driving incidents….

Cocaine, Inhalants and Other Drugs

While less commonly reported, some teens also use drugs like cocaine, inhalants, ecstasy among others. For example:

Around 4% of 12th graders reported using cocaine in their lifetimes [1]. Crack cocaine use is lower at 1.4% among seniors [1].
Inhalant use tends to peak earlier, with 6.2% of 8th graders reporting lifetime use but only 3.2% of high school seniors [1]. Household products are commonly inhaled for psychoactive effects.
Lifetime use of ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamines and synthetic marijuanas remain below around 3% among high school seniors in national data [1]. Any use level remains concerning given associated risks including overdose and contaminated drug supplies.

Key Risks of Teenage Drug Use

Using substances poses elevated risks and problems for adolescents given critical stages of neurological, physical and social maturation underway. Key dangers include:

Brain impacts – Repeated drug exposure can negatively impact teenage brain maturation and functioning. Effects may include poorer memory, verbal skills, concentration and impulse control [6]. Some changes may be long-lasting.

Mental health – Teen substance use is associated with increased risk for addiction, anxiety and depressive disorders extending into adulthood [6]. Marijuana may exacerbate underlying mental health conditions.

Hazardous behaviors – Teens who use drugs engage in more unsafe activities including impaired driving, violence, unsafe sex and use of other illicit substances [6].

Health effects – Specific substances also carry overdose risks, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory disease, infections, poisoning, trauma and other organ damage [6]. Impacts may be life-long.

Legal issues – Teenage substance use may lead to school expulsion, criminal charges and loss of certain privileges or opportunities later in development.

School/social problems – Drug using teens face higher rates of academic failure, school drop-out, family conflict, physical fighting and loss of motivation [6]. Effects can derail successful transitions into career or higher education.

Preventing Teenage Drug Use

Many evidence-based strategies can help deter substance use and misuse among adolescent populations. Key prevention principles include:

Comprehensive education – Covering specifics of substance effects, risks, harm reduction and decision making skills. Teens make more informed choices when fully informed.
Early intervention – Addressing first incidents of drug use quickly with appropriate supports rather than punitive measures alone. This may prevent escalation.
Alternative activities – Providing substance-free options for bonding, recreation, stress relief. This reduces boredom and substitutes healthier coping outlets.
Parental monitoring – Research shows teens are less likely to use substances when parents maintain involvement in their activities, peers and whereabouts [7].
Professional treatment – For teens already using frequently or experiencing substance use disorders, professional counseling and treatment programs can reverse the trajectory before adulthood.

Protecting teenage health and development requires proactive efforts to reduce the harms of substance use at personal, family and community levels. It is an investment in the next generation.

Conclusion

Teenage substance use remains prevalent nationwide despite potential health and developmental risks. Recent progress reducing cigarette use demonstrates that evidence-based prevention efforts can successfully reduce uptake of addictive substances. Addressing teenage drug use requires collaboration across families, schools, media, government and healthcare to better educate youth while promoting healthier choices. Resources must also improve access to drug treatment programs tailored to adolescents. It is crucial to intervene during these formative years in order to maximize future wellbeing and life potential.

Sources

[1] National Institute on Drug Abuse 2022 Monitoring the Future Survey
[2] Lipari, R.N., Williams, M., Copello, E.A.P., and Pemberton, M.R., 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
[3] Center for Behavioral Health Statistics 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Detailed Tables
[4] National Institute on Drug Abuse Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment
[5] National Institute on Drug Abuse Over-the-counter Medicines
[6] CDC Adolescent Substance Use and Risks of Harm
[7] Ryan, S. M., Jorm, A. F., & Lubman, D. I. 2010 Parenting factors associated with reduced adolescent alcohol use