About Teenage Drug Abuse

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, drug abuse among teens ages 12 to 17 declined between 2002 and 2007. But drug abuse among this group remains a problem, and adults need to be aware of the statistics, drugs used, signs of abuse and treatments available.

Statistics

• According to the 1998 National Household Survey on Teen Drug Abuse, approximately 10 percent of teens between 12 and 17 have used illegal drugs including alcohol, marijuana, depressants, opiates, stimulants and hallucinogens.

Commonly Abused Drugs

• Parent anti-drug websites list the most commonly abused drugs among teens as alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and prescription drugs. Other drugs abused within this age group include club drugs, depressants, hallucinogens and opiates.

Club Drugs

• Anti-drug websites further state that club drugs including Ecstasy and LSD have been on the rise as teens tend to enjoy group gatherings such as malls and movie theaters, where being able to simply take a pill or drinking is easier than smoking, injecting or inhaling.

Signs of Drug Abuse

• There are many signs that parents and adults can watch for, including changes in appetite, loss of interest, sudden drop in grades, depression and mood swings. Parents should review the detailed list online in Resources below.

Drug Treatment Programs

• Fortunately there are many drug treatment programs geared for the teen abuser through private and school sources and several excellent online resources on various treatment options (Resources).