Teen Drug Abuse Statistics, Symptoms, Signs, Interventions

Many teens begin to use drugs because they are trying to cope with difficult emotions. As a way to cope, adolescents may turn to drugs to numb the pain or feel happy again. A lot of teens want to experiment with drugs and experience new things. Transitioning between adolescence and the teenage years can come with feelings of self-consciousness. This can make youth try anything possible to feel better about themselves or feel accepted.

Young adults account for 50% of the new users of addictive substances. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, up to 10 million (75%) of high school students have used addictive substances like alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. Of these, approximately 20% become addicted and may need substance abuse treatment for teens. Young people who try substances like tobacco, alcohol, or drugs may not always become addicted, or start to abuse these substances. But due to the way a teenager’s brain develops, teen substance abuse is all too common. Mental health problems such as depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other psychosocial dysfunctions frequently are linked to substance abuse among adolescents.

Prescription Drug Misuse

Spoons, candles, tin foil, elastic/rubber, and hypodermic needles may be used in this process. Teenagers might use inhalants or snort powdered substances, which involves the use of paper or plastic bags, grinding tools, razor blades, straws, rolled paper bills, or vapor soaked rags. The best treatment plan will specifically address the needs of each teen. Focusing on the best treatment plan for their personal situation, needs, and recovery is essential.

Ali, S., Mouton, C. P., Jabeen, S., Ofoemezie, E. K., Bailey, R. K., Shahid, M., & Zeng, Q. The Recovery Village offers help for teenagers who are misusing alcohol or drugs. During this time, young people begin trying out different activities and identities. Unfortunately, this period of experimentation is often characterized by substance abuse.

Drug overdose deaths among young people

The outer mantle of the brain also experiences a burst of development, helping us to become more sophisticated at processing abstract information and understanding rules, laws, and codes of social conduct. Drug use impacts perception—a skill adolescent brains are actively trying to cultivate—and can fracture developing neural pathways. Additionally, as our brains are becoming hardwired during adolescence, the pathways being reinforced are the ones that stick. If those pathways include addiction, the impact may lead to life-long challenges.

Fortunately, the opioid epidemic seems to have avoided high teen drug abuses. Unlike adults in the country, non-medical use of prescription drugs, especially opiate painkillers, has decreased among teenagers in recent years. About 11% of high school seniors report misusing prescription medications in the past year. However, the number is only 6.8% when it comes to the misuse of painkillers specifically. According to SAMHSA, prescription drugs are the most commonly misused substances after drugs and alcohol.

Marijuana and hallucinogen use among young adults reached all time-high in 2021

Teens may see their other friends abuse drugs and be convinced to try. They may also be under the impression that everyone is doing it, so they want to fit in. It is a lot more likely that a teen will use drugs if they are around friends or family who use drugs. Other examples of risky behavior may include driving under the influence, taking part in illegal activities, or risky use of social media.

• 1.31% of teenagers aged 12- to 17-years-old met the criteria for AUD in the last year.
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• Mental health professionals who work with teens observe the link between depression and substance abuse in teens on a daily basis.
• Teenagers in Nevada are 22.98% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.
• Bupropion, which was originally found to be an effective antidepressant, has been found to decrease patients’ cravings for nicotine.

Teenagers in North Dakota are 34.92% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. 329,000 adults aged 18- to 25-years-old used drugs in the last month. 12.65% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using marijuana in the last year. Teenagers in North Carolina are 2.23% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. 782,000 adults aged 18- to 25-years-old used drugs in the last month. 13.13% of all 12- to 17-year-olds report using marijuana in the last year.

They’re 38.04% less likely to use alcohol than the average American in their age group. 1.44% of all 12- to 17-year-olds met the criteria for AUD in the last year. They’re 1.40% less likely to use alcohol than the average American in their age group. They’re 0.54% less likely to use alcohol than the average American in their age group.