The AP (12/17, Stobbe) reports “teen use of alcohol, nicotine and marijuana remains at record lows, according to” the results (PDF) of the Monitoring the Future survey that were released Wednesday. Teenagers “consume a lot of energy drinks, though. And there are slight, but concerning, increases in heroin and cocaine use.” However, “the findings indicate teens are drinking, smoking and using substances at much lower rates than in the past.” About “two-thirds of 12th graders this year said they hadn’t used alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or electronic cigarettes in the previous 30 days.” Thirty years ago, “the figure was closer to about one-third.” The new “findings also seem to echo other surveys that show continued declines in teen sexual activity, which experts say is at least partly due to teens connecting through smartphones and social media instead of in person.”

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— “Teen drug use remains low, but survey finds small rise in heroin and cocaine use,”Mike Stobbe , AP, December 17, 2025

MedPage Today (12/15, George) reports a study found that “six midlife symptoms of depression were tied to an increased risk of dementia.” Results show that “depressive symptoms that emerged as midlife indicators of increased dementia risk” include: losing confidence in oneself; not able to face up to problems; not feeling warmth and affection for others; feeling nervous and strung-up all the time; not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out; and difficulty concentrating. Researchers noted “these associations were independent of established dementia risk factors like APOE4 status, cardiometabolic conditions, and lifestyle factors.” The study was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

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— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

Psychiatric News (12/15) reports a study found that “in 2022, national spending on behavioral health care for children ages 6 to 17 was nearly $42 billion – including nearly $3 billion in out-of-pocket spending from families.” That figure “represented 40% of all pediatric health care expenditures, nearly twice as much as in 2011.” Researchers noted that “overall pediatric behavioral health expenditures rose from about $18 billion in 2011 to $41.8 billion in 2022. Spending on in-person and telehealth outpatient visits increased from 2011-2022, while spending on medications decreased and spending on emergency department or inpatient services remained stable.” The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

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— “Pediatric Behavioral Health Spending Rising Dramatically, Psychiatric News, December 15, 2025

HealthDay (12/12, Thompson) reported, “Smokers who use cigarettes and vape devices interchangeably might not be doing themselves as much of a disservice as once feared, a new study says.” Investigators found that “these ‘dual users’ are more likely to eventually quit smoking than people who smoke without vaping.” Additionally, “dual users…are more likely to reduce their cigarette smoking rate, and thus reduce the amount of harmful chemicals they inhale from smoke.” The findings were published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

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— “Smokers Who Vape More Likely To Quit Or Cut Back, Study Argues,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, December 12, 2025

Psychiatric News (12/12) reported a systematic review and meta-analysis of 76 clinical trials found that “when it comes to preventing depression or anxiety relapse, slowly tapering off an antidepressant while receiving psychological support is comparable to remaining on the medication.” Researchers observed that “slow tapering with support and medication continuation both reduced relapse risk by about 50% compared with abrupt discontinuation – with moderate evidence to support the finding. Dose reduction reduced relapse risk by 38% compared with abrupt discontinuation, though this approach was supported by low levels of evidence.” Furthermore, “slow tapering without support and fast tapering with or without support were not superior to abrupt discontinuation.” The review was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Slow Tapering of Medication and Psychological Support Limits Depression Relapse, Psychiatric News, December 12, 2025