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The Problem

The state of Texas is grappling with an alarming crisis that has deeply affected the lives of countless teenagers, their families, and their communities – substance use and mental health disorders. This pervasive problem has reached epidemic proportions, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The statistics surrounding teen substance use and related mental health concerns are deeply troubling, underscoring the need for effective, proactive prevention.

In The Past Year...

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Americans Have Used Illicit Substances

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 70.3 million (24.9%) Americans aged 12 or older have used illicit substances in the past year.
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Teens Had a Major Depressive Episode

The National Survey on Drug use and Health reports that 4.8 million (19.5%) American adolescents aged 12 to 17 had a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year, and 1 in 5 adolescents who had a MDE had a co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
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Texas High Schoolers Have Tried Alcohol

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 36.1% of high school students in Texas have used alcohol at least once in 2022, with 11% of Texas high school students reporting they had drunk liquor in the past month.
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Underage Alcohol Users Are Binge Drinkers

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that over half (54%) of underage alcohol users in the past month were binge drinkers, and 1 in 5 (20.5%) underage binge drinkers were heavy alcohol users.
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Texas High Schoolers Have Vaped

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 1 in 4 high school students in Texas have ever vaped, with 11% reporting that they had vaped in the past month.
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Texas High Schoolers Have Used Marijuana

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 21.7% of high school students in Texas have ever used marijuana, with 8% of high school students reporting that they had used marijuana in the past month.
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Texas High Schoolers Misuse Prescription Painkillers

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 8.7% of high school students in Texas reported misusing prescription painkiller medications in 2022.
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Cause Of Death is Accidental Overdose

Accidental overdose has become the number one cause of death for Americans under the age of 50, with fentanyl leading the way as the cause of death.

#1

Cause of Death Under 50 is Overdose

Alcohol Use in the Past Month

137,400,000
Drink

Of Americans aged 12 or older in 2022, 137.4 million (48.7%) drank alcohol.

61,143,000
Binge Drink

Of alcohol users aged 12 and older, over 61 million people (44.5%) were binge drinkers.

16,080,609
Heavy Drink

Of binge drinkers aged 12 and older, 16 million people (26.3%) were heavy drinkers.

Underage Alcohol Use in the Past Month

5,843,000 Underage
Drink

Of underage Americans (aged 12 to 20) in 2022, 5.8 million (15.1%) drank alcohol.

3,154,000 Underage
Binge Drink

Of underage alcohol users (aged 12 to 20), 3.1 million people (54%) were binge drinkers.

646,000 Underage
Heavy Drink

Of underage binge drinkers (aged 12 to 20), 646,000 (20.5%) were heavy drinkers.

Illicit Drug Use in the Past Year

8,900,000
Misused Opioids

Among people aged 12 or older in 2022, 8.9 million people (3.2%) misused opioids.

Effects Are Equal Across Race & Culture

Opioid misuse in the past year among people aged 12 or older in 2021 did not differ among racial or ethnic groups.

Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year

48,722,000 Had a Substance Use Disorder

Of Americans aged 12 and older, 48.7 million (17.3%) had a substance use disorder.

6,117,000 had an Opioid Use Disorder

Of Americans aged 12 or older with a past year drug use disorder, 6.1 million had an opioid use disorder.

21,543,000 had a Substance Use Disorder & a Mental Illness

Of Americans aged 12 or older, 21.5 million had both a substance use disorder and any mental illness.

Teen Depression & Suicidality in the Past Year

4,823,000
Had a Major Depressive Episode

922,000
Had a Major Depressive Episode & a Substance Use Disorder

3,427,000
Had Serious Thoughts of Suicide

1,666,000
Made Suicide Plans

953,000
Attempted Suicide

*All statistics noted here are from self-report studies and, therefore, have the potential of being underreported. Moreover, estimates of teen suicidal thoughts and behaviors may be underreported, as millions of teens answered “I’m not sure” or “I don’t want to answer” in response to questions about suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Consequences of Teen Addiction

The impact of substance use on the lives of teenagers extends far beyond their immediate well-being. The consequences can be severe and long-lasting, affecting various aspects of their lives, including:

  • Mental Health: Substance use is frequently accompanied by mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, self-harming behavior, and other concerns, exacerbating the challenges already faced by today’s teens.
  • Physical Health: Substance use places teenagers at a heightened risk of long-term health problems, including liver damage, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Academic Performance: Teen substance use often leads to a decline in academic achievements, increased truancy rates, and a higher likelihood of dropping out of school.
  • Social & Familial Relationships: Substance use strains relationships with friends and family, leading to isolation, conflict, and a breakdown of trust.