Commonly Abused Drugs Across Age Groups

How Age Factors in the Abuse of Drugs

Usually, when an individual begins using drugs or alcohol, there is usually an influence that pushes them to begin the behavior. For example, children who grow up in households where there is one or more parent or family member who is abusing drugs and alcohol are more likely to go down the path of drug use. If it’s already in their environment, it is likely that they will begin to use it at a younger age, as well. 

Individuals in high school and college have a high likelihood of starting to abuse available prescriptions that they find in their home or through their peers. Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin are especially attractive because many students use them to temporarily increase focus and energy when studying.

In the end, no matter what age a person begins to abuse drugs or alcohol, it is usually because they have a high amount of risk factors, and a low number of protective factors in their lives. Through the decades, drug use has gone up in the United States across all ages and while some of the commonly abused drugs have changed and dangerous drugs have become more readily available, the trends in relation to drug use and age range are, for the most part, still the same.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs in Each Age Group

The most commonly abused drugs in each group are as follows: for those who are of the ages 12-13 and under, the most commonly abused drugs are tobacco, inhalants, marijuana, and prescription drugs. Children who are starting at this young age have been found to be at a high risk to develop addiction problems without help or intervention.

For teenagers—those who are ages 13-18—the most commonly abused drugs are marijuana, prescription drugs (used non-medically or without a prescription), opioids, stimulants, depressants, codeine syrup, syrups containing dextromethorphan, and spice. Once an individual gets into their teen years, more substances become available to them and this most likely has to do with being able to procure drugs from other peers. If an individual begins using opioids in their teen years, they may resort to heroin use eventually, as heroin and other opioid use has sky rocketed in the last couple of years, due to the opioid epidemic.

As for young adults in their college years, the most commonly abused drugs are alcohol and prescription drugs. For adults, generally the most abused drugs are alcohol, prescription drugs, opioids (heroin or other), and cocaine. Of all of the most commonly abused drugs by adults, opioids continue to rise and claim the lives of over 120 individuals a day across the nation.