Addiction Services Guide - Articles

GIRLS AND DRUGS
A growing body of evidence documents the motivations and consequences of adolescent girls’ drug use. A number of findings have shown that adolescent females display unique vulnerabilities that can lead to substance use. Furthermore, research reveals that drug abuse has a more profound impact on teen girls, both physically and psychologically.These studies can help us better understand the vulnerabilities, consequences, and factors that affect the risks of girls’ substance abuse. Substance Abuse Prevalence Rates Among Adolescent Girls The latest findings on drug use in the United States from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that marijuana is the illicit drug most widely used by girls.And research trends indicate that girls are catching up with boys with regard to illicit drug and alcohol use. In some cases, such as cigarette smoking, girls’ usage rates have surpassed those of boys. • More teenage girls use Marujuana than cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and all other illicit drugs combined. (2004 NSDUH) • Girls are closing the gap with boys in terms of usage of marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes. Since 2002, more teenage girls than boys started using marijuana.And in 2004,more girls than boys started using alcohol and cigarettes. (2002, 2003 and 2004 NSDUH) – In 2002, 895,000 teenage girls started using marijuana – In 2003, 657,000 teenage girls started using marijuana – In 2004, 675,000 teenage girls started using marijuana – In 2004, 1,500,000 teenage girls started using alcohol – In 2004, 730,000 teenage girls started smoking cigarettes.

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