Research shows increase in drug use among adults and decrease among adolescents in Mexico

The Ministry of Health of Mexico released the results of the National Survey on Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use (ENCODAT) 2025. The survey is being conducted again after a hiatus during the previous government and was carried out under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The study reveals opposite demographic trends in drug use in the country.

While the consumption of substances "at least once in a lifetime" has increased among the adult population, the rates have decreased among adolescents. The collected data aims to support the formulation of new public health policies and prevention strategies.

Drug use scenario in the adult population

Among the adult population, aged 18 to 65, the prevalence of drug use has risen from 10.3% in 2016 to 14.4% in 2025. This increase was recorded in both sexes, although levels remain higher among men, according to El Planteo. Cannabis remains the most consumed illicit substance in Mexico, jumping from 8.6% to 12% in this group.

The report also highlights the growth in opioid consumption among adults, which has increased from 0.1% to 1.4%. Health authorities attribute part of this increase to the previous use of analgesics, such as tramadol, which has recently undergone stricter commercial regulation.

Following the most used substances are hallucinogens and amphetamine-type stimulants. Monitoring drug use in this age group is essential to understand changes in dependency patterns and treatment.

Reduction in drug use among adolescents

In contrast to adult data, the age group of 12 to 17 years old has seen a reduction in drug use. The consumption of any substance throughout life has decreased from 6.4% to 4.7%. Specifically regarding cannabis, the rate dropped from 5.3% to 3.7%, accompanied by a decrease in the use of amphetamine-based stimulants.

An important data point highlighted by ENCODAT is the change in the average age of first drug use, which has increased from 17 to 19 years. The Mexican government attributes this delay, in part, to prevention campaigns focused on fentanyl, which included media, school, and community actions.

The survey indicates that non-medical use of fentanyl remains low in the general population. Furthermore, the consumption of this substance is virtually nonexistent among minors.

Methodology, mental health, and drug use

For the first time in years, the survey included a chapter dedicated to mental health. The numbers indicate that, despite the decrease in drug use in the younger group, indicators of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts are statistically higher among adolescents than among adults.

The survey also points out that the growth in consumption is not geographically uniform. Regions such as Mexico City, the north, and the center of the country show more pronounced increases, suggesting the influence of urban contexts and access dynamics.

To carry out ENCODAT 2025, institutions such as CONASAMA, INPRFM, and INSP visited 23,950 households and interviewed 17,591 people. The main objective is to use this database to monitor trends and estimate the need for specialized treatment.