Press Room

Most Alcohol, Drug Abuse Starts in the Teens: Study

(4/11/2012)

By Andrew M. Seaman
Reuters
April 2, 2012

A new survey of U.S. teenagers finds that most have used alcohol and drugs by the time they reach adulthood, and researchers say that could be setting up many of them for a lifetime of substance abuse. The new research, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that almost four out of five teens had tried alcohol and more than 15 percent were abusing it by the time they turned 18 years old. Some 16 percent were abusing drugs by age 18.

View the full article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/02/us-drug-teens-idUSBRE83112Q20120402

Keywords: alcohol, drug, abuse, starts, teens, study

Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.

National Recovery Month 2013

About Recovery Month Sitemap Contact Recovery Month

Behavioral Health is Essential to Health
Prevention Works
Treatment is Effective
People Recover

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration • 1 Choke Cherry Road • Rockville, MD 20857 • 1-877-SAMHSA-7