One in 25 teens—roughly 4%—struggle with a substance use disorder. Knowing your teen or young adult abuses drugs or alcohol is enough to tilt your world on its axis. It becomes hard to sleep at night, as you worry about their safety and health. But by getting to know some drug use statistics, you can see their problem more clearly. This information also proves they’re not alone in their addiction or potential for gaining lasting recovery.
Illicit Drug Use Statistics
Illicit drug use statistics have increased for many years. In 2013, about 25 million people ages 12 or older used illegal drugs in the prior month. This means just under 10% of all Americans engage in substance abuse with non-prescription drugs. It compares to only eight percent in 2002.
Just under 20 million people used marijuana in the month before the 2013 survey. This number is an increase of five million from 2007 to 2013. Today, about seven of all Americans aged 12 or older use marijuana, compared to five percent in 2007.
Six and a half million people abused prescription drugs in 2013. In the same year, around two million used cocaine, one million used hallucinogens, half a million used inhalants and a quarter of a million used heroin.
According to the same survey, about seven million Americans aged 12 or older abused prescription drugs in the prior month. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, and painkillers.
From 2002 to 2013, hallucinogen, cocaine and prescription drug abuse declined among Americans while marijuana and methamphetamine use increased. Meth increased significantly from 2010 to 2013, going from 353,000 users to 595,000.
Drug Use Among Teens and Young Adults
Over half of first-time drug users in 2013 were younger than 18 years of age. Almost three million people started abusing illicit drugs in 2013. This number means 7,800 people tried drugs for the first time every single day. Marijuana, prescription painkillers, and inhalants led more than half of these people into substance abuse. In a disturbing trend, marijuana vaping has more than doubled between 2017–2018 from 5% to nearly 11%.
People in their late teens and twenties suffer the greatest vulnerability to substance abuse. Just under one-quarter of all 18 to 20-year-olds report illicit drug use in the prior month. For 21 to 25-year-olds, drug use is reported to occur among 20%.
Drinking is less common among teens and young adults today than past years. From 2002 to 2013, alcohol consumption decreased from 28% to 22% while binge drinking dropped by an impressive five percent. Only three percent of teens and young adults engage in heavy drinking.
Keeping Your Teen or Young Adult Out of the Statistics
The worst statistic of all is that of overdose death. This statistic is every parent’s biggest nightmare. To keep your loved one safe from an overdose, they need help for their young adult or teen drug addiction. That support resides in quality addiction treatment programs designed for teens and young adults.
Zelus Recovery in Meridian, Idaho provides addiction treatment for teens and young adults. This treatment includes:
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient drug rehab
- Early intervention for adolescents
- Family program
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Relationship therapy
Call Zelus Recovery now at 208.518.0797 for the help your loved one needs. Through treatment at Zelus Recovery, your teen won’t become a number found in drug use statistics.
