Marijuana remains the most widely used illegal drug among high school students today. You’ll find it’s particularly prevalent among 12th-graders, with 29% reporting use in the past year. The Springboard Center understands the unique challenges facing teens and families dealing with substance abuse. Take the first step toward healing and contact us today to learn about our programs and how we can help your family. Early identification of these risk factors is crucial for effective substance abuse prevention for teens and can help families intervene before problems develop. Many teens use stimulants like Adderall to help them study longer or perform better academically.
Which Drug is the Most Commonly Used Drug Among Teens?
Recent data shows marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine products dominate adolescent drug use, with concerning percentages across all high school grades. While alcohol consumption has slightly decreased, vaping continues to gain popularity. Understanding these patterns isn’t just about statistics—it’s about recognizing the real risks your teen might face and what you can do about it.
- Teenagers in Kansas are 3.58% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.
- NSDUH’s 2022 report showed that 8,918,000 (3.2%) people illegally used prescription opioids in the past year.
- If teens are not taught how to properly deal with stress, emotional pain, or conflict—they could turn to drugs to cope.
- If you or a loved one are dealing with drug or alcohol abuse, now is the time to seek help.
The data reveals which substances teens use most frequently and how these trends have shifted over recent years. Parents consistently ask what is the number one drug used by teens, and the statistics provide definitive answers. Drug trends in adolescents continue evolving as new substances emerge and legal changes affect teen perceptions of various drugs. However, availability of drugs and risk factors like academic pressure and family history affect students across all school types. According to national surveys of 8th graders, 10th graders, and 12th graders, alcohol use begins early and increases with age. Marijuana is the second most commonly used substance among teenagers, with 29% of high school seniors reporting use in 2023.
Marketed under names like K2 or Spice, it is often mislabeled as safe or natural. In reality, it contains toxic chemicals that can cause violent behavior, chest pain, seizures, and even death. Some teens may begin using stimulants if they are under high academic pressure such as studying for an exam or the SAT. If a teen experiences a serious medical injury, such as in sports, this is a common route to building a tolerance to prescription pain pills. Although the numbers among teen drug experimentation are high, this doesn’t mean every teen uses drugs.
Many teens falsely believe marijuana is safe, unaware of the long-term effects like mental health issues, poor academic performance, and cannabis use disorder. Resilience Recovery Resources offers PHP, IOP, outpatient, and sober living programs for adolescent and young adult males in West Palm Beach, FL. Our gender-specific, age-focused care helps young men build lasting recovery and strong futures. Find comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. As of 2022, prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are the most commonly abused prescribed drugs in the US.
Gary brings over two decades of experience in behavioral healthcare, specializing in addiction and mental health treatment. With the right support and treatment, teens can overcome substance use challenges and build bright, healthy futures. Binge drinking, which tends to be more common among teens and young adults, increases many of these risks.
Peer Pressure and Social Acceptance Needs
While alcohol consumption is declining, marijuana and vaping remain significant concerns. You’ll need to stay informed about these trends to protect teens in your life. Don’t underestimate the importance of open conversations and education—they’re your best tools for prevention.
Why Do Teens Use Drugs?
At Sullivan Recovery, we guide each teen through a structured recovery plan, helping them get back on track mentally, emotionally, and physically. Early intervention can make all the difference in preventing minor experimentation from becoming a serious problem. For more information about opioids and overdose deaths, see our reports on Fentanyl Abuse and Drug Overdose Death Rates. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, getting help is just a phone call away, or consider trying therapy online with BetterHelp. When these behavioral changes become severe, seeking help from The Springboard Center can provide families with the professional guidance they need. Sleep pattern changes, appetite changes, or hygiene neglect may indicate substance use problems.
All participating students took the survey via the web – either on tablets or on a computer – with 99% of respondents taking the survey in-person in school in 2024. The 2024 Monitoring the Future data tables highlighting the survey results are available online from the University of Michigan. Teens who lack strong parental support or positive role models are more likely to give in to peer influence. Prevention strategies need to target these social dynamics before substance use begins.
Illegal Drug Addiction
The digital age brings new challenges, making it harder to monitor what teens encounter daily. Understanding what is the number one drug used by teens today gives most used drug by teens parents the knowledge they need to protect their children. That’s why it’s important for parents and teachers to stay observant and maintain open communication. Early drug use can permanently alter brain development, especially during critical periods of adolescence. This creates lifelong challenges with impulse control, stress management, and emotional regulation.
According to SAMHSA’s NSDUH report, 16,588,000 (5.9%) people used methamphetamines in their lifetime, and 2,705,000 (0.8%) used them in the past year of 2022. The 2022 NSDUH report shows that 27,242,000 (9.7%) people used inhalants in their lifetimes, and 2,254,000 (0.8%) used them in 2022. Inhalants are solvents, gases, aerosols, and nitrites that can be inhaled to get high. Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that includes magic mushrooms, LSD, PCP, ecstasy, peyote, ayahuasca, and many others. In 2022, the NSDUH revealed that 132,296,000 (46.9%) people have used marijuana in their lifetime and 61,901,000 (22%) in the past year. Furthermore, 11% of 12th-graders have used delta-8 THC, particularly in areas where recreational marijuana isn’t legal.
Programs should focus on resilience, communication, and resisting peer pressure. Treatment often includes individual therapy, family therapy, and peer support groups. These services help repair damaged relationships and build new coping skills. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends early, sustained intervention to reduce relapse risk. Substance use during adolescence can cause permanent damage to both brain and body.
Teenagers in Nebraska are 15.03% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Montana are 17.49% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Missouri are 11.14% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Mississippi are 8.48% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.
As reported by the National Center for Drug Abuse, 46% of teens have used an illicit drug by the time they enter their senior year of high school. Substance abuse can look different for each teen based on their underlying medical history, psychological history, drug of choice, and frequency of use. Adolescent brains are still developing, making specialized treatment essential. Generic adult treatment programs often don’t address the unique developmental, social, and psychological needs of teenagers. If you suspect your teen is using substances, early intervention is crucial. At Resilience Recovery Resources, we specialize in substance abuse treatment specifically designed for adolescents and young adults.
- As of 2023, 23% of 12th-graders and 18% of 10th-graders reported vaping nicotine.
- These substances often lead to deeper problems, including substance abuse, legal issues, and long-term health risks.
- When teens misuse these medications, they face all the same risks as adult users plus additional dangers from their developing brains.
- Teenagers in Mississippi are 8.48% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.
- Although hallucinogens are thought to be a lower risk for addiction, there are still risks when taking them.
- Parties, gatherings, and even casual hangouts may include drinking or drug use as the main activity.
Mixing prescription drugs with alcohol or other substances creates extremely dangerous situations. Teens may not understand these interaction risks, leading to accidental overdoses and other serious consequences. The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to alcohol’s toxic effects. Regular drinking can cause permanent changes in brain structure and function. College admission has become increasingly competitive, creating anxiety about grades and test scores.