What Drugs Do Teens Use Most?
You are here:First, the good news. Teen drug use is at the lowest rate since the 1990s. The bad news is that more addictive and deadly substances enter the market regularly. Teens are often unwittingly exposed to dangerous illicit drugs like fentanyl and many suffer addiction and fatal overdoses.
Every day, more young people enter adolescence and face the challenge of trying the latest drug fad. It is important for parents to be aware of the current trends in the use of recreational and street drugs. Understanding these trends can help parents initiate open conversations with their teens, fostering a supportive environment that encourages healthy choices and discourages substance abuse.
Teen Drug Use: Why Do They Do It?
Being a teen today is intense and challenging. With pressure from social media and other platforms, young people strive to fit in with certain groups. They try drugs to seek excitement and feel accepted. Other more complex reasons for teen drug use include depression, trauma, stress, and to enhance athletic or academic performance. Of course, many teens use drugs because they enjoy the high.
When teens use drugs to alleviate or self-medicate their symptoms or problems, they unknowingly set themselves up for a lifetime struggle with substance use. Studies show that depression is associated with lifelong substance use when initiated in early adolescence. Rather than learning to regulate their emotions, they turn to drugs as the easy way out.
Drugs Commonly Used by Teens Today
A survey conducted by Monitoring the Future shows that in 2023, alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine were the most commonly used substances among teens. However, other drugs remain popular such as:
- Cocaine
- MDMA
- Crystal meth
- Heroin
- Hallucinogens
- DXM
- Inhalants
- Stimulants
- Prescription drugs
- Spice/K2
- Nicotine
Surprisingly, a report by SAMHSA shows that 74 percent of adults in substance use treatment started using drugs or alcohol before age 17.
Teen Drug Use by the Numbers
Fatal drug overdose rates more than doubled among people between the ages of 12 and 25 in the last ten years. Furthermore, about half of teens and young adults who died in car accidents were using alcohol, marijuana, or both. Here are a few more statistics about teen drug use that may surprise you.
Alcohol – About 46% of 12th-grade students, 31% of 10th graders, and 36% of 8th-graders report using alcohol in the past year.
Marijuana – In the past year, approximately 29% of 12th-grade students, 18% of 10th-graders, and 8% of 8th-graders report using marijuana.
Cocaine – In the past year, 2.3% of 12th-graders, 1.5% of 10th-graders, and 0.8% of 8th-graders used cocaine.
MDMA – About 2.2% of 12th-grade students report using MDMA (Molly, ecstasy) in the past year.
Crystal Meth – In the past year, 0.5% of 12th-graders, 0.4% of 10th graders, and 0.4% of 8th graders report using meth in the past year.
Heroin – Most teens disapprove of heroin with only 0.4% of 12th-graders, 0.3% of 10th-graders, and 0.2% of 8th-graders using it in the past year.
Hallucinogens – Only 3.2% of 12th-graders report using LSD or magic mushrooms in the past year.
DXM – About 3.2% of high school students report drinking cough syrup to get high.
Inhalants – Inhalant use is more common among 8th,10th, and 12th-grade students.
Stimulants – Using ADHD drugs to improve alertness and concentration is popular among high school and college students. About 4.5% of 12th-graders abused Adderall in the past year.
Prescription Drugs – Oxycontin tends to be popular among high school students. About 0.8% of 8th-graders, 2.2% of 10th-graders, and 2.3% of 12th-graders abused the substance in the past year.
Spice/K2 – Within the past year, 1.6% of 8th-graders, 2.9% of 10th-graders, and 3.5% of 12th-graders say they used spice.
Nicotine – Approximately 10% of all grade levels reported using cigarettes in the past year. About 5.9% of high school students report using vapes or e-cigarettes in the past month.
Unfortunately, many teens perceive themselves as indestructible, so they ignore the risks and warnings about substance abuse. Some teens mistakenly abuse prescription medications because they think prescribed drugs are safer than street drugs. These misconceptions often lead to a lifetime of substance misuse, addiction, and lingering health consequences.
Treatment for Any Addiction at Design for Change Recovery
Design for Change Recovery seeks to contribute to the nationwide battle against substance abuse among all age groups, including teen drug use. We hope that the above information will help reduce the likelihood of someone turning to substance use.
For adults who need help for addiction, we offer a comprehensive, JCAHO-accredited treatment program for any addiction. Our facility in beautiful Lancaster, CA provides a comfortable, secure environment that promotes healing.
Learn more about our programs today by contacting us by phone, email, or online. One of our treatment advisors will be available any time day or night to assist you in any way.
Sources:
sciencedirect.com – Depressive Symptoms, Negative Urgency and Substance Use Initiation in Adolescents
samhsa.gov – Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
cdc.gov– Tobacco Product Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students-National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023
