2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

SAMHSA

The 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows encouraging trends among adolescents and young adults with broad declines across past-month nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use, and binge drinking, as well as reduced rates of substance use disorders, major depressive episodes, and suicidality.

Conversely, troubling overall increases occurred in past-month nicotine vaping and marijuana use, past-year use of marijuana and hallucinogens, and past-year marijuana use disorder. Interestingly, it is important to point out that these increases are driven by use among adults aged 26 or older. For each of these indicators, use among adults 26 or older all increased whereas use among youth 12 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 25 either declined or remained stable.

Furthermore, while youth mental health improved, suicide indicators among adults aged 26-49 and 50+ rose between 2021 and 2025.  These findings highlight the importance of ensuring a lifespan approach to suicide prevention and mental health promotion and treatment initiatives, including incorporating age-related changes in physical abilities and social environments into prevention strategies.

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