According to the results of a U.S. national survey, Monitoring the Future, adolescent use of alcohol, nicotine and cannabis remains at an all-time low. However, energy drink consumption remains high, while small but potentially concerning increases in heroin and cocaine use were also reported. Overall, the findings indicate that U.S. adolescents are consuming alcohol, tobacco, and other substances at substantially lower rates than in previous years.
The federally funded survey was carried out by researchers from the University of Michigan, and has been operating since 1975. The 2025 findings are based on responses from approximately 24,000 students in grades 8, 10 and 12 in schools across the country, and the survey was conducted from February to June this year. Specifically, the survey results reveal that in 2025, approximately two-thirds of U.S. 12th graders reported abstaining from all four substances in the previous 30 days, compared with roughly one-third three decades ago. Moreover, even higher abstinence rates were observed among younger students, with 82% of 10th graders and 91% of eighth graders reporting no recent use, both representing record levels for these age groups.
Overall, these patterns are consistent with findings from other surveys indicating continued declines in adolescent sexual activity, a trend that experts partially attribute to increased social interaction through smartphones and social media rather than in-person contact. However, the survey identified a notable increase in reported heroin use across all grade levels. Among 12th graders, past-year heroin use rose to 0.9% in 2025, compared with 0.2% in the previous year. Likewise, reported heroin use also increased among 10th graders, reaching 0.5% from 0.1%, and among eighth graders, rising to 0.5% from 0.2%. Furthermore, cocaine use remained stable among 10th graders but increased among eighth graders, to 0.6%, and among 12th graders, to 1.4%.
Several factors are thought to contribute to the overall decline in adolescent substance use, including measures to reduce youth vaping, taxation of certain substances, and decreased rates of driving among teenagers.
