Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Abuse of alcohol and other drugs is a major threat to the health and well-being of teenagers. According to a 2004 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey of high school students:¹

• About 10% of teens smoke cigarettes frequently (more than 20 days a month). Tobacco use has serious long-term health consequences and is highly addictive. A teen who uses tobacco for more than a year has more than an 80% chance of becoming dependent on it.²
• About 75% of high school students have tried alcohol. More alarming, about 28% of teens have had a recent episode of heavy drinking (more than 5 drinks within a couple of hours). The leading cause of death for teens and young adults is auto accidents related to alcohol. Drinking also lowers inhibitions, which can lead teens to have unprotected sex, increasing the chance of pregnancy and infection with sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes, chlamydia, and HIV.
• About 40% of teens have tried marijuana one or more times. About 22% of teens currently use marijuana. Teen use is troubling because marijuana can hinder memory, problem-solving, and learning. It can also cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
• About 9% of teens have tried cocaine, while 4% use it currently (one or more times in a month). Cocaine is an addictive drug. It is especially dangerous because it can cause abnormal heartbeats, occasionally resulting in a life-threatening heart attack, seizure, or stroke.

Other substances teens abuse include:

• Inhalants (glues, aerosol sprays, gasoline, paints, and paint thinners). Inhalants are one of the substances most frequently abused by junior high students because they are inexpensive and easy to get. These substances are extremely dangerous because they contain poisonous materials, such as lead and toluene, which can cause brain damage or, in rare cases, even death with the first use.
• Club drugs, including ecstasy (MDMA) and date rape drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). These drugs are often used at all-night dances, raves, or trances. Although the number of teens abusing these drugs is small compared with cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana, these drugs can be dangerous, especially in overdose or when combined with alcohol or other drugs. Use of ecstasy can lead to depression, sleep problems, and severe anxiety that may last for weeks after taking the drug. Over time, use of ecstasy can lead to liver damage and thought and memory problems.
• Methamphetamine (commonly referred to as meth, crank, or speed). Methamphetamine is highly addictive. In addition, it can cause seizures; stroke; serious mental problems, including paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions; and long-term health problems.
• Hallucinogens, including LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, psilocybin, PCP (phencyclidine), and ketamine. Serious and lasting psychiatric conditions such as psychosis or hallucinogenic flashbacks can develop after using LSD.
• Opiates, such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. Use of opiates can lead to strong physical and psychological addiction. Teens who use addictive drugs may steal, prostitute themselves, or resort to other dangerous or illegal behavior to buy drugs.
• Prescription drugs, such as diazepam (for example, Valium), methylphenidate (Ritalin), hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (Vicodin), and oxycodone (OxyContin). Nonprescription medicines, such as cough syrups or cold pills, are also abused by teens.
• Anabolic steroids, which teens use to build muscle tissue and decrease body fat. Anabolic steroids can cause liver cancer; reduced sperm count; male-pattern balding; irritability and rage; and increased cholesterol and blood pressure, resulting in heart attack and stroke.

In recent years teen substance use rates (except for the use of inhalants and prescription opiates) have been dropping overall, but substance use still remains a leading cause of injury and death in young people, as well as causing long-term social and health problems. Annual studies such as the Monitoring the Future Survey track trends in teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and attitudes across the United States.

Because alcohol and drugs change the way the brain functions, specifically the areas that control decision-making and emotions, teen growth and development can be affected by their use. Teens who abuse these substances may have difficulty establishing their identity, developing relationship skills, gaining emotional stability, and preparing for an independent and productive future. Substance abuse can affect memory and learning, which can harm a teen's performance in school. Perhaps the most significant danger of teen substance use is that it can progress, sometimes rapidly, from experimenting or occasional use to abuse and addiction in teens at risk.