Massachusetts Juvenile Drug Use Statistics

While illicit drug use can happen to anyone at any age, the earlier in life that someone begins using substances, the more likely they are to have a substance use disorder later in life.

Adolescent drug use is a major health concern because they are more susceptible to being addicted to drugs or alcohol due to the fact that their brains are not fully developed.

Massachusetts has one of the highest juvenile drug use rates of any state in the United States.

The Prevalence Of Drug Use Among Juveniles In Massachusetts

Teenagers in Massachusetts are 33.37% more likely to have used drugs in the past month than the average American teenager.

In one recent survey, 53,0000 12 to 17-year-olds living in Massachusetts stated that they used drugs in the past month.

Among those aged 12 to 17 who reported using substances, 3.35% met the criteria for an illicit drug use disorder (IDUD), and 1.68% met the criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD).

The Most Common Drugs Abused By Juveniles In Massachusetts

One of the most common drugs abused by juveniles in Massachusetts is marijuana.

86.8% of 12 to 17-year-olds who reported using substances said they used marijuana in the past month, while 16.14% of all juveniles, including those who did not report substance use, reported marijuana use in the past year.

The next most common substance abused in Massachusetts is alcohol. 10.90% of all 12 to 17-year-olds polled in Massachusetts reported using alcohol in the past month.

Factors That Influence Drug Use Among Juveniles

There are a variety of factors that may influence illicit drug use among juveniles, including a family history of drug or alcohol use, mental health disorders, a lack of family support, and other factors.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is considered one of the strongest determinants of substance use and delinquency among high school students and other young people.

Adolescents have a moderate to strong influence on their peer’s high-risk behaviors, such as drug or alcohol use, smoking, or vaping.

Adolescents are more susceptible to peer influence and more likely to engage in these risk-taking behaviors in groups instead of alone.

Family History

Young adults with a family history of substance abuse are more likely to have early exposure and a higher risk of substance use disorders.

Adolescents with a family history of alcohol abuse are four times more likely to develop a problem with alcohol.

Children and teens who have a parent with drug use problems may be up to eight times more likely to have a drug addiction.

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health problems in childhood, such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), depression, conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all increase the risk of developing a substance-related disorder.

Studies also show that adolescents who develop co-occurring problems with mental health disorders and substance use experience higher levels of social problems and criminality, a greater risk of relapse, and often experience worse substance abuse treatment outcomes.

Access

The high prevalence of illegal drugs in many communities gives teens easy access to drugs, including at school.

The availability of alcohol, marijuana, and other substances at school is an important factor affecting the ability of students to use these substances.

A survey of students in the United States in grades six through 12, stated that 30% of students reported that alcohol and marijuana were readily available at school, while 20% of students stated that other drugs were readily available

Students in public schools are twice as likely to have easy access to marijuana and other drugs compared to private schools.

Students attending larger schools also reported having easier access to substances than students who attended smaller schools.

The Consequences Of Juvenile Drug Use

Adolescents who consistently abuse substances will experience a variety of consequences, including academic issues, health problems, poor relationships, and delinquency.

Short-Term Consequences

There are a variety of short-term consequences associated with adolescent drinking or drug use.

Short-term consequences of substance use may include:

• declining grades
• absenteeism
• depression
• withdrawal from friends or family
• personality disorders
• suicidal thoughts
• short-term memory issues
• confusion
• a feeling of detachment from the environment or self
• drowsiness
• alertness
• loss of appetite

Depending on the substance being abused, the amount taken, and other factors, an adolescent may experience various additional short-term consequences, such as hallucinations and physical distress.

Long-Term Consequences

There are a variety of long-term consequences of adolescent substance use.

Long-term consequences of youth substance abuse may include:

• cognitive and behavioral problems that affect academic performance
• increased risk of death due to accident, suicide, or drug overdose
• development of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, heart disease, lung disease, etc.
• developmental lags
• affected emotional development
• family dysfunction
• paranoia
• insomnia
• weight loss or gain
• involvement with law enforcement or entering the juvenile system for crime
• seizures
• increased risk of overdose death

Over time, alcohol or drug use can have devastating effects on various aspects of the young person’s life and their future.

Preventing Juvenile Drug Abuse

There are various strategies that can be taken to prevent juvenile drug abuse. One strategy involves parents or other trusted adults educating juveniles about the realities of drugs.

Other helpful strategies include:

• teaching youth not to be afraid to say no
• parents being aware of what is going on at school
• parents knowing who their child’s friends are
• teaching children about peer pressure
• encouraging them to get involved in activities such as clubs or sports
• helping them plan ahead when choosing to attend parties or other social events on how they can avoid drugs or alcohol
• talking to them about what they may see on social media or in entertainment about drugs or alcohol
• keeping track of any prescription drugs in the household
• providing support during challenging times for your child

All of these strategies and having an open relationship with your child are crucial to preventing them from abusing drugs or alcohol.

Recognizing And Treating Juvenile Drug Use

Recognizing signs of alcohol or drug use in adolescents can be challenging.

Many signs of substance use resemble typical young adult behaviors or may be symptoms of mental health issues or other health conditions.

Signs of substance use in juveniles may include:

• being withdrawn or depressed
• being angry or uncooperative
• secretive behavior
• absenteeism from school
• poor hygiene
• unusual fatigue
• slurred or rapid speech
• seizures
• weight loss or gain
• lack of or increased appetite
• hyperactivity

If you have a reason to suspect your child is using drugs, it is best to have a conversation and ask direct questions.

Treatment of adolescent substance abuse often includes detox if needed, evidence-based therapies such as motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and thorough family involvement through family therapy and psychoeducation.

Get Help For Drug Addiction At Bedrock Recovery Center

If your child is living with drug or alcohol addiction and needs treatment in Massachusetts, we can help. Contact Bedrock Recovery Center to learn about our treatment programs.