Risk Factors for Juvenile Substance Abuse

Parenting a teen can be a challenging time for both the parent and the teen. If a teen is struggling with school or social issues, has a negative change in behavior, or is experiencing stress or mental health issues, you may become worried that they are using drugs or alcohol. Understanding some identifiable risk factors may help you prepare and cope with problems both before and after they arise.

Social Issues And Peer Pressure

• Teens who experience problems interacting with others, feel ostracized, or are not actively engaged in positive activities may be at risk for substance abuse. Using alcohol or other drugs may cause a teen to feel that they can interact more freely in social situations, or it may be a way to withdraw from awkward social interactions. Finding others who feel as they do may encourage them to continue with drug use, as it may provide a shared experience and way to feel involved with sympathetic peers. On the contrary, teens who are overachievers or are socially adept may be at risk as a way to deal both with internal and external pressures.

Family Conflict

• A teen experiencing conflict at home, whether it is abuse, family breakdown, or lack of family support, may be at risk for substance abuse. Feeling at odds with parents or siblings can cause communication and trust to deteriorate, increasing the risk. A family member's own substance abuse can also be a factor, as children model learned coping methods, underestimate the effects and dangers of substance abuse, or see the behavior as normal. Family history of substance abuse is a very important indicator of risk. Substance abuse transcends family social and financial standing--it is not a problem of only lower-income families.

Mental Health

• Mental health issues and substance abuse problems are considered to have a strong link. Substance abuse is, itself, considered a mental health issue, and persons who use drugs and alcohol often have underlying or resulting mental health disorders. Anxiety, poor impulse control, and depression, as well as other issues, may be present when a teen first starts using drugs, and the substance use becomes the way in which the teen tries to deal with their issues. Also, because substance abuse can alter brain chemistry, mental health issues that were not initially present can manifest as a result of drug and alcohol use. Because the teen years often involve emotional changes and growing independence of the teen, it may be difficult for a parent to assess a child's mental health status. Seeking a professional opinion is a wise choice.