What a New Study of Nearly 12,000 Teens Reveals About Substance Use
Substance use among American youth isn’t holding steady. It’s climbing predictably as kids move from middle school into high school.
A new study from researchers at the University of California San Diego, analyzing data from nearly 12,000 youth in the national Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, reveals that by age 16, 38% of adolescents have used at least one substance in their lifetime.
38%
of teens have used at least one substance by age 16
11.3%
of girls report nicotine use by age 14, compared to 8% of boys
~15%
engaged in polysubstance use, most often nicotine and cannabis
While boys show higher rates of experimental use before age 12, the trajectory shifts sharply at age 13: girls overtake boys in the use of alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine. By age 14, 11.3% of girls report nicotine use (compared to 8% of boys) and 8.8% report cannabis use (compared to 7% of boys). Furthermore, nearly 15% of participants engaged in polysubstance use, with the co-use of nicotine and cannabis emerging as the most common combination.
Why this matters
- The teen brain is still developing: The brain continues developing into a person’s mid-20s, especially the parts responsible for decision-making, managing emotions, and controlling impulses. Using substances like alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis at a young age can interfere with this development and increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) later in life.
- Polysubstance use accelerates risk: Combining nicotine and cannabis isn’t just double the exposure—it compounds the impact on developing brain chemistry and respiratory health.
- Gender-specific dynamics: The surge in substance use among teenage girls around age 13 highlights an urgent need for gender-responsive prevention strategies that address underlying factors like stress, social media exposure, and mental health challenges.
- Commonly used scare tactics don’t work: Simply telling teens to “just say no” or using fear-based warnings fails to build real-world decision-making skills or emotional resilience.
What you can do
Addressing youth substance use requires replacing stigma with evidence-based, conversational prevention strategies at home, in schools, and across our communities.
1
Start honest conversations early
Parents and guardians don’t need to wait for substance use to start. Open, non-judgmental discussions about stress, peer relationships, and substance exposure build trust long before children are met with the decision.
2
Focus on evidence-based prevention
Not all prevention efforts are equally effective. Schools and communities should prioritize programs backed by research that help young people build healthy coping skills, navigate peer pressure, and make informed decisions about substance use.
3
Recognize the signs and respond with support
Pay attention to changes in your child’s behavior, mood, or relationships that may signal substance use. If you’re concerned, approach the conversation with empathy and curiosity rather than judgment or punishment. Creating a safe space for honest communication can make it easier for young people to ask for help when they need it.
Resources to explore
Shatterproof’s Family & Friends Resource Center
Guidance on navigating conversations, recognizing early signs of substance use, and supporting youth resilience.
Guiding Good Choices & Botvin LifeSkills Training
Evidence-based family and youth intervention programs designed to foster healthy decision-making, manage peer pressure, and strengthen family bonds.
SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
A searchable, confidential national database for finding evidence-based adolescent mental health and substance use care.
Even as kids grow more independent, your voice is still one of the strongest protections they have. Prevention isn’t one big talk. It’s many small, honest conversations that start early and keep going.
