If you caught the headlines last December, you may have breathed a small sigh of relief. On December 17, 2025, the National Institutes of Health announced the latest results of the Monitoring the Future survey, and the news was mostly good: reported use of most drugs remains low among US teens. According to the NIH, 91% of 8th graders, 82% of 10th graders, and 66% of 12th graders said they had not used marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine in the past 30 days.
That is genuinely encouraging. But a national average says very little about the teenager sitting across from you at dinner. The families who are worried cover a wide range, from parents bringing up a concern at the next pediatrician visit to parents quietly researching luxury inpatient rehab services in Malibu for a son or daughter who has already turned 18. Low numbers on a chart don’t make any of those situations less real.
So here is what the survey found, and what parents can still watch for.
What the 2025 Monitoring the Future Numbers Actually Say
Monitoring the Future is an annual NIH-supported survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders run by the University of Michigan. For the 2025 edition, researchers collected 23,726 surveys from students at 270 public and private schools between February and June 2025, and the data were weighted to be nationally representative.
According to the NIH release, past-year alcohol use was reported by 11% of 8th graders, 24% of 10th graders, and 41% of 12th graders. Cannabis use was reported by 8%, 16%, and 26% respectively. Nicotine vaping came in at 9%, 14%, and 20%. All three were described as stable compared with the year before.
The NIH also notes that use of most substances has stayed near the low point reached in 2021. The sharp drop from 2020 to 2021 was largely attributed to pandemic-era disruptions in drug availability and in teens’ social lives. In other words, the lows arrived suddenly and have held, rather than continuing to fall.
Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in the release that researchers are “encouraged that adolescent drug use remains relatively low and that so many teens choose not to use drugs at all.”
It’s worth reading those numbers from the other direction, too. “Low” still means that roughly four in ten high school seniors reported drinking in the past year, and about one in four reported using cannabis.
The Small Increases Researchers Want to Keep an Eye On
Not every line in the report was flat.
Heroin and Cocaine
The survey recorded significant increases in heroin use across all three grades. Past-year use rose to 0.5% of 8th graders (from 0.2% in 2024), 0.5% of 10th graders (from 0.1%), and 0.9% of 12th graders (from 0.2%). Cocaine use also rose significantly among 8th graders, to 0.6% from 0.2%, and among 12th graders, to 1.4% from 0.9%, while 10th graders held steady at 0.7%.
Richard A. Miech, Ph.D., who leads the Monitoring the Future team at the University of Michigan, said the “slight but significant increase we see in heroin and cocaine use warrants close monitoring,” while also noting that current levels are “leagues below what they were decades ago.”
Hemp-Derived Cannabis Products
The survey also tracked hemp-derived cannabis products, including intoxicating ones such as delta-8-THC. Past-year use was reported by 2% of 8th graders, 6% of 10th graders, and 9% of 12th graders.
Why Low Rates Don’t Always Mean Low Risk
Use rates and harm are not the same thing. A CDC report published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 2022 (Tanz and colleagues) looked at overdose deaths among people aged 10 to 19 from July 2019 to December 2021. Median monthly overdose deaths in that age group rose 109% over the period, and deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls rose 182%.
A few details from that report stand out for parents. Illicitly manufactured fentanyls were involved in 83.9% of the deaths. Evidence of counterfeit pills was present in 24.5%. Only 35% of the young people who died had a documented history of opioid use, and 40.9% had evidence of a mental health condition or treatment. Those data predate the 2025 survey, but it shows why a pill from an unknown source can be so dangerous.
Warning Signs That Deserve a Closer Look
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes a parent guide called “How to Tell If Your Child Is Drinking Alcohol or Using Other Drugs” as part of its “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign. It points out that some of these signs can simply be normal growing pains. Problems are more likely when several signs show up together, appear suddenly, or are extreme. The guide lists:
- Mood changes: Flare-ups of temper, irritability, or defensiveness.
- School problems: Poor attendance, falling grades, or recent disciplinary action.
- Rebellion against family rules: Openly pushing back against or defying household rules.
- Friend changes: Switching friend groups and seeming reluctant to let you get to know the new ones.
- A “nothing matters” attitude: A sloppy appearance, losing interest in activities they used to love, or low energy.
- Signs of alcohol or drugs: Finding substances in their room or backpack, smelling alcohol on their breath, or noticing new cover-ups like perfume, mouthwash, or gum.
- Physical or mental changes: Memory lapses, poor concentration, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, or slurred speech.
- Social media posts: Images or references to drinking or drug use in what they share online.
None of these on its own proves anything. The point is to notice patterns early, while a calm conversation can still make a real difference.
Starting the Conversation Without Starting a Fight
SAMHSA’s parent materials focus less on lectures and more on staying connected. Its guide “What You Can Do to Prevent Your Child From Drinking Alcohol or Using Other Drugs” suggests actively listening and asking open-ended questions so it’s easier for teens to share what is going on in their lives. It also recommends brainstorming ways to have fun without alcohol or drugs, and knowing where your child is, what they’re doing, and who they’re with.
The same guide lists risk factors worth keeping in mind, including big life transitions such as graduating, a history of social and emotional problems, depression or anxiety, a family history of substance use disorders, and spending time with friends who drink or use drugs.
When a Conversation Isn’t Enough
If you believe your teen needs help, SAMHSA’s advice is to act quickly. SAMHSA’s “How to Tell If Your Child Is Drinking Alcohol or Using Other Drugs” guide suggests talking with your child’s doctor, their school, and your health insurer, which can provide a list of providers. An employee assistance program through your job may also offer referrals. You can call your county health department’s general information line, use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to find programs nearby, or try its Screen4Success tool to assess your child’s overall well-being. SAMHSA is also candid that treatment options for youth can be limited, which is one more reason not to wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is teen drug use still falling, or has it leveled off?
According to the NIH, use of most substances has stayed near the low reached in 2021 rather than continuing to drop. Past-year alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine vaping rates in the 2025 survey were all described as stable compared with 2024.
2. How common are nicotine pouches among teens?
The 2025 Monitoring the Future results show past-year nicotine pouch use at 1% of 8th graders, 3% of 10th graders, and 7% of 12th graders, which the NIH described as stable.
3. Should I be alarmed by the rise in teen heroin and cocaine use?
The increases were statistically significant, but the numbers are still small, with heroin use at 0.9% of 12th graders. The survey’s lead researcher said the trend warrants close monitoring and noted that levels remain far below those seen decades ago.
Also Read-Teen Drug Use Remains Near Historic Lows. Here Is What Parents Should Still Watch For
