A surprising new study shows that teenage girls abuse far more drugs than their male peers.
Although 18% of girls are misused more than boys, teenage drug use is steadily increasing overall, with opioids containing fentanyl being spiked, data show .
Marijuana is an overwhelming favorite for both girls and boys, with an estimated 2.9 million under the age of 18 in 2023. Latest data from the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Abuse of opioids, including heroin and prescription painkillers such as bicodin and oxycontin, skyrocketed 41% between 2022 and 2023. After weeds, opioids ranked the second most commonly misused drug in 2023 with 574,000 people, from 406,000 to 1 year ago.
Marijuana use between 12 and 17 years old was roughly the same as the previous year, but all other illegal drug use during the teenage years jumped, bringing the total number of young users to 3.8 million. Increased by 100,000 from 2022.
The deadly opioid fentanyl, which is up to 100 times stronger than morphine, is not included in the same category in SamHSA, as it can be taken without the user knowing when mixed with other drugs. Approximately 50,000 teens reported misusing it in 2023. This is a 47% spike from the previous year, and it is likely that the numbers are high as many people were able to take it without realizing it.
Stimulants are the third most used drug among young people. Approximately 285,000 teens reported taking prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, with cocaine and meta using up to 63,000 and 40,000 teen users, respectively, 58 years ago. It rose by 112%.
Inhalants containing adhesives, aerosol sprays, cleaning solutions, paint thinners, felt markers, gases like nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas” are reported in teens who have been reported by 564,000 children using them. Ranked 4th.
Fifth was hallucinogens with 387,000 users, an 8% increase from the previous year.
Some drug use was similar between girls and boys, but in 2023, over 2 million girls used illegal drugs compared to over 1.7 million boys. Wellbrook recoveryWisconsin drug and rehabilitation facilities were found in an analysis of data from a national survey by Samhsa.
And their tastes were different too.
After the weeds, the girls reported having more opioids (mainly prescription painkillers) and inhalants than the boys. The boy chose more stimulants, mostly prescription medications and hallucinogens.
“Given the current opioid crisis in the United States, it is particularly surprising that there are a large number of young users, especially given the strong addictive properties associated with these substances and the high risk of overdose.”
Kasnet noted that inhalants are easy and inexpensive, but can also pose serious threats like brain damage and sudden death.
The shocking statistics highlight the need for early intervention and education, he added. “More importantly, it is essential to understand and address the underlying factors that contribute to this use.”
The 2023 SAMHSA survey included over 67,000 interviews.
Samhsa defines “misuse” like drug use, in some way, that doctors and drug use have not been directed in any way, or for a longer period of time.
