According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, teen drug abuse increased by 61% between 2016 and 2020. While 62% of 12th graders reported using alcohol at least once, 50% have misused illicit drugs.[1]

Teen drug abuse is a common problem in America. When teenagers abuse substances, they are at a higher risk of developing depression, conduct issues, personality disorders, and suicidal ideation.[2]

Due to the risks of substance abuse, parents need to be aware of the most commonly abused drugs by teens.

Signs of Teen Drug Abuse

Sometimes it can be difficult to spot the signs of teen drug abuse. Because teenagers are hormonal, sometimes people confuse the symptoms of drug use with mood swings and normal teen behavior.

The common signs of teen drug abuse include:

Declining grades
Laughing for no reason
Losing interest in activities
Changing friend groups
Poor hygiene or diminished personal appearance
Avoiding eye contact
Bloodshot eyes
Being frequently hungry or tired
Loss of appetite and insomnia
Secretive behavior
Smelling smoke on their clothes or breath

Teenagers may display varying signs of drug abuse based on which type of drug they are taking. For example, if they are abusing cocaine they might act anxious, have a hard time sleeping, and eat less than usual. On the other hand, abusing a substance like marijuana would cause increased hunger, bloodshot eyes, and being drowsy.

Which Drugs Are Commonly Abused by Teens?

The drugs that teens abuse most frequently are not much different than those abused by adults. However, teens tend to abuse substances for different reasons than adults.

Most commonly, they are experimenting or giving in to peer pressure. Some teenagers abuse drugs to cope with early childhood trauma or untreated symptoms of mental health conditions.

The most commonly abused drugs by teens include:

Marijuana

According to the CDC, “In 2019, 37% of US high school students reported lifetime use of marijuana and 22% reported use in the past 30 days.”[3]

Marijuana is one of the most commonly abused substances among teenagers under the age of 18. The reason teens tend to use marijuana is that it’s relatively easy to obtain and is the most socially acceptable illicit drug in our society.

Despite the common belief that marijuana is a harmless drug, using this substance before the brain is fully developed could lead to cognitive deficits.

Alcohol

Alcohol is another drug that teens can easily get their hands on. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “In 2019, about 24.6 percent of 14- to 15-year-olds reported having at least 1 drink.”[4]

Because most teenagers can find a bottle or two of alcohol in their parent’s cabinets, this substance is popularly abused by curious teenagers. While alcohol is legal, this substance can cause an array of problems for young people. When teenagers consume alcohol they are at an increased risk of engaging in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving or having unprotected sex.

Stimulants

Stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin are commonly prescribed to teenagers for mental health conditions like ADHD.

While some teens take their medication as prescribed, others might begin to increase their dosage in hopes of getting high. Additionally, some high schoolers share their stimulant prescriptions with their friends at parties. This makes prescription stimulants easy for teenagers to access, causing them to abuse this substance frequently.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are drugs that cause psychedelic effects, like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. Oftentimes, people do not associate hallucinogenic drugs with addiction, which might cause teenagers to think they are safe to use.

In 2020, a study found that 7.5% of teenagers had used hallucinogens at least once.[1]

Unfortunately, hallucinogenic drugs can cause an array of mental health issues when teenagers abuse them. While teenagers think they are going to have a fun trip, they could end up having a bad experience. The hallucinations and delusions associated with drugs like LSD or shrooms could become overwhelming, especially for someone whose brain isn’t fully developed yet.

Cough Medicine

Over-the-counter cough medicine is commonly abused by teens because it is easy to obtain. Additionally, having a bottle of cough syrup in their bedrooms might not set off any alarms, making it easier for teens to conceal their substance abuse.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5% of high school seniors reported abusing cough medicine at least once.[5]

Cough medicine contains dextromethorphan (DXM), which can cause hallucinations and extreme drowsiness when taken in large amounts. This causes teens to drink excessive amounts of cough medicine, putting them at risk of overdosing.

Prescription Opioids

Many teens abuse prescription opioid painkillers. According to a study, 7.1% of high school seniors admitted to abusing prescription opioids.[5]

It is extremely common for teens who abuse these substances to mix them with other drugs like marijuana or alcohol. This can quickly become life-threatening, as combining two central nervous system depressants can lead to fatal overdoses and respiratory depression.

Finding Help for Teen Drug Abuse and Addiction

Teen drug abuse happens more often than we would like to admit. Unfortunately, when teenagers and young adults abuse drugs, they have a higher risk of developing an addiction than adults do. This is because their brains are not fully developed, leaving them more susceptible to impulsive and addictive behavior.

Abusing drugs as a teenager is extremely dangerous, especially because many of them do not know their limits. As a result, attending a professional addiction treatment program is of the utmost importance.

If your teenage child is abusing drugs or suffering from addiction, contact addiction intervention today. We can help you find a drug rehab program that suits your child’s needs.

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