In
2008, among persons with substance dependence or abuse, the
proportion with dependence on or abuse of illicit drugs also
was associated with age: 60.6 percent of youths aged
12 to 17 were dependent on or abused drugs compared
with 37.4 percent of young adults aged 18 to 25 and 24.3 percent
of adults aged 26 or older.
Ages of Teens Vs Types of Drugs
Used:
Among youths aged 12 to 17, the types of drugs used in the
past month varied by age group. Among 12 or 13 year olds,
1.5 percent used prescription-type drugs (xanax, Percocet,
oxycontin, etc) nonmedically, 1.2 percent used inhalants (huffing
aerosols), and 1.0 percent used marijuana.
Among 14 or 15 year olds, marijuana was the most commonly
used drug (5.7 percent), followed by prescription-type drugs
used nonmedically (3.0 percent), inhalants (1.3 percent),
and hallucinogens (1.0 percent).
Marijuana also was the most commonly used drug among 16 or
17 year olds (12.7 percent); it was followed by prescription-type
drugs used nonmedically (4.0 percent), hallucinogens (1.6
percent), cocaine (0.7 percent), and inhalants (0.7 percent).
Persons 12 and older, classified
with substance dependence, addiction, or abuse in 2008:
In 2008, an estimated 22.2 million persons aged 12 or older
were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the
past year (8.9 percent of the population aged 12 or older).
Of these, 3.1 million were classified with dependence on or
abuse of both alcohol and illicit drugs, 3.9 million were
dependent on or abused illicit drugs but not alcohol, and
15.2 million were dependent on or abused alcohol but not illicit
drugs.
Drug with the Highest Rate of Dependence or
Abuse in 2008:
Marijuana was the illicit drug with the highest rate of past
year dependence or abuse in 2008, followed by pain relievers
and cocaine. Of the 7.0 million persons aged 12 or older classified
with dependence on or abuse of illicit drugs in 2008, 4.2
million were dependent on or abused marijuana or hashish (representing
1.7 percent of the total population aged 12 or older, and
60.1 percent of all those classified with illicit drug dependence
or abuse), 1.7 million persons were classified with dependence
on or abuse of pain relievers, and 1.4 million persons were
classified with dependence on or abuse of cocaine.
Dependence on or Abuse of Specific Illicit Drugs in
the Past Year among Persons Aged 12 or Older: 2008
Drug Teen's are Most Likely to use the First Time
Trying or Using a Drug in 2008:
In 2008, of the 2.9 million persons aged
12 or older who used illicit drugs for the first time, within
the past 12 months, a majority reported that their first drug
was marijuana
(56.6 percent). Nearly one third initiated with psychotherapeutics
(29.6 percent, including 22.5 percent with pain relievers
(PERCOCET, OXYCONTIN), 3.2 percent with tranquilizers
(XANAX), 3.0 percent with stimulants, and 0.8 percent with
sedatives). A sizable proportion reported inhalants (9.7 percent)
(HUFFING) as their first drug, and a small proportion used
hallucinogens as their first illicit drug (3.2 percent).
Specific Drug Used When Initiating Illicit Drug Use
among Past Year Initiates of Illicit Drugs Aged 12 or Older:
2008
THE NEED FOR AN INTERVENTION
Often, parents need to make the choice to send a teen for
treatment in a substance abuse, addiction treatment center.
This is due primarily because most teens, ages 12 to 17 (and
most people) do not “perceive” a risk to substance
abuse behaviors, nor do they think they need help. This lack
of perception or acceptance of the risk or need for help,
although alarming, is a clear indication and explanation for
the need for family members and loved ones to “intervene”
and seek help for teens. Denial is a common reaction for struggling
teens. See graphs below:
Past Month Binge Drinking and Marijuana Use among
Youths Aged 12 to 17, by Perceptions of Risk: 2008
Past Year Perceived Need for and Effort Made to Receive
Specialty Treatment among Persons Aged 12 or Older Needing,
But Not Receiving Treatment for Illicit Drug or Alcohol Use:
2008
Information above including graphs are courtesy
of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
www.samhsa.gov
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