The Relationship Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Adolescents

3.3 Cigarette Smoking Among Adolescents

For both male and female adolescents aged 12 to 13, approximately 9 percent reported past-month cigarette smoking. Among adolescents aged 14 to 15, the reported rates more than doubled, to 19 percent for males and to 20 percent for females. Among older adolescents aged 16 to 17, 31 percent of males and 27 percent of females reported past-month cigarette smoking. A sizable percentage of older adolescents reported that they smoked cigarettes; 11 to 12 percent reported smoking almost daily.  Examination of specific age groups indicates that adolescent males and females do not differ significantly in prevalence of cigarette smoking.

3.4 Alcohol Use Among Adolescents

Approximately 7 to 8 percent of very young adolescents aged 12 to 13 reported use of alcohol within the preceding month. Approximately 2 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 13 reported being drunk in the past year. These findings suggest that initiation into alcohol use occurs very early for some adolescents, nearly in childhood. The prevalence of past-month alcohol use for 14- to 15-year-old adolescents is 20 to 21 percent-more than double that of 12- to 13-year-olds. By late adolescence (ages 16 to 17), the figures are approximately 36 percent for males and 31 percent for females. Past-month alcohol use, binge drinking, and drunken episodes in the past year are more prevalent among older adolescent (aged 16 to 17) males than females, but the prevalence does not differ by gender among younger adolescents. The prevalence of alcohol dependence does not differ for males and females.

3.5 Use of Marijuana and Other Illicit Drugs Among Adolescents

Approximately 2 percent of very young adolescents reported past-month marijuana use. The prevalence rate is approximately 7 percent for adolescents aged 14 to 15. Among older adolescents aged 16 to 17, approximately 15 percent of males and 11 percent of females reported past-month marijuana use. The prevalence of current marijuana use is significantly higher among older adolescent males aged 16 to 17 than it is among females in the same age group but does not differ significantly in the younger age groups. Approximately 3 to 4 percent of very young adolescents aged 12 to 13 reported current involvement with illicit drugs including marijuana, cocaine, crack, inhalants, hallucinogens, and heroin, among others. Among older adolescents aged 16 to 17, involvement with illicit drugs including marijuana was reported by approximately 17 percent of males and 13 percent of females. Males and females do not differ significantly in illicit drug use.

This page was last updated on June 16, 2008.

SAMHSA, an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States.