Teen Drug Use: What Drugs Are Most Commonly Used by Teens?

Teenagers in Delaware are 20.71% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Connecticut are 7.47% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American substance use group activities teen. Teenagers in Colorado are 37.40% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Drug-Related Deaths

Once withdrawal and cravings set in, a teen dealing with addiction and dependence may not be able to stop using a substance, even if they want to. Teen prescription drug abuse can involve narcotic painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin. According to NIDA, 3.4% of 12th grade students have used prescription drugs within the past year. Vicodin use within the previous year is reported by 0.6% of 8th graders, 1.1% of 10th graders and 1.7% of 12th graders. OxyContin use is slightly more common, with 0.8% of 8th graders, 2.2% of 10th graders and 2.3% of 12th graders using within the past year.

1. Benzodiazepine drugs, including valium and xanax, are often prescribed to patients with anxiety.
2. In 2022, approximately one of every seven high school students (14.1%) reported using electronic cigarettes in the past 30 days.
3. They are one of the many stimulant medications used to boost academic performance.
4. Teenagers in Tennessee are 18.64% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Drug Abuse Statistics

Teenagers in Washington are 33.36% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Virginia are 16.46% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Vermont are 75.83% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Utah are 28.16% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Texas are 15.18% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Tennessee are 18.64% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Teenagers in Georgia are 19.01% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in Florida are 5.50% less likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. Teenagers in the District of Columbia are 11.94% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen.

Prescription Medications

Read on to learn about teen drug use, the most used drugs by teens, the mental health issues surrounding adolescent substance use, and how to get professional treatment. The survey also documents students’ perception of harm, disapproval of use, and perceived availability of drugs. Notably, the survey results are released the same year the data are collected.

Substance Abuse Screening

Inhalants can include whipped cream, spray deodorant, or even nail polish remover fumes. Treatment for inhalant use includes support groups, drug use therapy, and, potentially, in-patient facilitation. Even if teens are not using their own prescription or illicit drugs, they may take them from family and friends. This behavior can be very dangerous and can quickly develop into an addiction. From February through June 2022, the Monitoring the Future investigators collected 31,438 surveys from students enrolled across 308 public and private schools in the United States. The completed survey from 2022 is nationally representative and represents about 75% of the sample size of a typical year’s data collection.

Experimenting with drugs or alcohol is tempting for teenagers because they may not know or understand the dangers of using substances—even just once. Academic pressure, low self-esteem, and peer pressure are just a few factors that increase their risk of substance use. Vaping is attractive to teens because e-cigarettes are often flavored like fruit, candy, or mint. These products may contain nicotine or other synthetic substances that damage the brain and does alcohol affect gallbladder lungs. The teenage brain is vulnerable to the harmful effects of nicotine, including anxiety and addiction.

“Stimulants abuse in teens.” Children’s Hospital of Orange County, May 3, 2017. Despite the overall low prevalence of meth use in music therapy for addiction teens, some areas of the country, particularly western states, may see higher rates of adolescent meth use. A research project conducted in Idaho shows that some teens may use meth because they believe it makes them happy or will help with weight loss.