Introduction
After a nine-year gap since the last National Survey on Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Consumption (ENCODAT) in 2016, the federal government has resumed this crucial survey to obtain an official overview of addictions and mental health in Mexico. The survey offers two perspectives: absolute percentages, which confirm that mass consumption is not prevalent in Mexico, and growth rates, highlighting the direction of emerging risks.
Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption
Regarding alcohol and tobacco, the data supports preventive messaging. Among adolescents (12-17 years), alcohol consumption in the past year dropped from 28.0% (2016) to 17.8% (2025), a decrease of 10.2 percentage points. More significantly, excessive alcohol consumption fell from 8.3% to 2.6%. In tobacco smoking, the general population decreased from 17.6% to 15.1%. These are genuine improvements.
However, there is a noteworthy change among women. The “ever” consumption of alcohol increased from 62.6% to 69.3%, which is not an automatic alarm but requires tailored prevention strategies.
Emerging Concerns
Despite these positive trends, certain data points should not be overlooked. Opioids: from 0.1% to 1.4%. Although the absolute number is small (1.3 percentage points), the growth rate is substantial (+1,300%). Vaping (electronic cigarettes): from 1.1% to 2.6%, an increase of 136%. Misuse of medication: from 1.3% to 2.5%, a 92% rise. Marijuana: from 9.3% to 13.3%, a 43% increase. Fentanyl appears with a baseline of 0.2%, but there are no 2016 data for comparison.
Before taking the fentanyl figure (0.2%) at face value, it’s essential to remember the inherent limitation of household surveys for stigmatized and illegal substances. Many individuals may not admit to using them, leading to underreporting of consumption. This contrasts with data from the Medical Examiner’s Office (SEMEFO) in Baja California, where around 20% of autopsies in Mexicali tested positive for fentanyloid, and 12% to 16% in Tijuana. The survey may underestimate consumption, while the morgue data does not.
Mental Health Indicators
The ENCODAT also reveals the underlying consumption patterns. Among adolescents, psychological distress is 6.9% for males and 13.2% for females (national average: 8.1%). Suicidal ideation in the past year is 2.1% for males and 4.6% for females (3.3% nationally). Suicide attempts are 0.9% and 2.2% (1.5% nationally). Reported violence in the past year affects adolescents more, at 18.1% compared to 12.3% for adults.
Mexico can boast that traditional substances are declining, while newer concerns like opioids, vaping, and self-medication are on the rise. The critical point lies in addressing the mental health of young women.
Policy Recommendations
The difference between containment and overwhelming these signals lies in translating them into measurable public policy: targeted prevention, early detection, and timely treatment before crises. This involves verifiable goals, monitoring, and coordination between health, education, and security sectors.
- Schools and primary healthcare: Implement screening for distress and consumption, establish referral pathways, and control medication prescriptions.
- Border zones: Implement toxicological surveillance to fine-tune interventions.
About the Author
Facebook: Eduardo J Ruiz-Healy
Instagram: ruizhealy
