2022 Adolescent Substance Use Trends

Nov 29, 2024

Monitoring the Future Survey 2022 - Substance Use Among Adolescents

Overview

  • Substance Use Trends: After a significant decline in 2021, adolescent substance use in 2022 remained stable, not returning to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Survey Conducted by: University of Michigan, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
  • Target Group: Eighth, 10th, and 12th graders in the United States.

Key Findings

  • Illicit Drug Use:
    • 11% of 8th graders, 21.5% of 10th graders, and 32.6% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs in the past year.
  • Nicotine Vaping:
    • Stable across grades: 12% (8th), 20.5% (10th), 27.3% (12th).
  • Cannabis Use:
    • Stable across grades: 8.3% (8th), 19.5% (10th), 30.7% (12th).
  • Cannabis Vaping:
    • Notable increase for 10th graders, but below pre-pandemic levels.
  • Alcohol Use:
    • Stable for 8th and 10th graders; returned to pre-pandemic levels for 12th graders (51.9%).
  • Illicit Drugs other than Marijuana:
    • Stable use across grades.
  • Narcotics Use:
    • Slight increase among 12th graders to 1.7%.

Perception of Harm

  • Prescription Drugs:
    • Perceived great risk varies by grade for drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Adderall.

Concerns and Trends

  • Overdose Deaths: Rise in overdose deaths among ages 14-18, attributed to fentanyl contamination.
  • Fentanyl Warning: Education on dangers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl is crucial.

Demographic Data

  • Ethnicity and Gender Representation:
    • 11% African American, 22% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 47% White.
    • 48% male, 47% female.

Future Monitoring

  • Ongoing Research:
    • Continue monitoring trends to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on drug use.

Additional Resources

  • National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for substance and mental health treatment.

Conclusion

  • Stable Trends: The trend of stable or declining substance use continues, though dangerous drug use remains a significant concern due to fentanyl.