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Substance use patterns from late childhood to mid-adolescence: Updates on the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development
Ryan M Sullivan1, Alexander L Wallace1, Chase A Shankula2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports
|August 1, 2026
Summary
Adolescent substance use, including alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine, increases with age. Sex differences emerge, with boys reporting earlier use and girls reporting more use from age 13 onwards.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Adolescent substance use remains a significant public health issue.
- The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study provides a comprehensive dataset on youth development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of substance use and polysubstance use in adolescents.
- To investigate sex-based differences in substance use patterns within the ABCD Study cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 11,880 U.S. youth (ages 9-10 at recruitment) from baseline to year 6.
- Examination of lifetime and annual substance use prevalence, including polysubstance use and sex differences.
Main Results:
- Past-year substance use prevalence increased with age, with 38% reporting lifetime use by age 16.
- Alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine were the most commonly reported substances.
- Boys reported substance use earlier (before age 12), while girls reported higher rates from age 13 onwards.
Conclusions:
- Findings align with national trends showing increased adolescent substance use, particularly alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine.
- Identified sex-specific patterns in substance use and polysubstance use provide crucial context for public health strategies.
- Understanding these prevalences in a well-characterized cohort aids future research on substance use impacts.
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