The teenage years are often full of experimentation and pushing boundaries. While some of their choices can be harmless in the long run, such as a drastically different hair color, others can have serious consequences, such as substance use.
Because of the potential harms of substance use disorder (SUD), behavioral health providers who work with teens should be prepared to inquire about and address their clients’ substance use. Here is what behavioral health providers should know about SUD in young people.
Recent trends in teen substance use
Almost half of U.S. adolescents have tried an illicit drug by the time they are adults, according to a survey conducted by the University of Michigan. More than 80 percent will have used alcohol by adulthood.
Stimulant use in particular is on the rise in young people. While these include illicit drugs like cocaine and MDMA, prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are the most common methods of stimulant misuse. However, alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis remain the most popular substances used among teens.
Research published by the CDC found a 48-percent increase in overdose deaths among those aged 15-24 from 2019 to 2020. Behavioral health providers may consider how the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, and school closures may have affected, or continue to affect, young people.
Risk factors for teen SUD
Certain risk factors can make dangerous substance use more likely in young people. They include:
- Family history of substance use
- Parents who use, or are more favorable toward substance use
- Uninvolved or neglectful parenting
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Close peers who use substances
- Lack of connection with school or community
- Poor academic achievement
- Other mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety
Not every teen will experience all, or even any, of these risk factors. However, behavioral health providers should be aware of them and be prepared to help teens address them.
How to approach adolescent SUD
Any behavioral health professionals working with youth should screen their clients for SUD, as well as other risk factors, such as their relationship with parents and adverse childhood events. If a young person is interested in quitting and recovering from SUD, providers should work with them to understand specific triggers and create a plan for quitting, with regular follow-ups.
Substance misuse may be accompanied by other behavioral health conditions. Therapists should always refer to the DSM-5 criteria when there is suspected SUD.
Several protective factors can help reduce the risk of risky substance use in teens, and providers should encourage these whenever possible. Examples include:
- Close relationships with parents or other family, and family support
- Parents who disapprove of substance use
- Engaged parents who monitor for substance use
- Being connected to their school and involved in activities
Therapists may consider collaboration with parents, schools, other healthcare providers, and relevant community organizations. This will help behavioral health specialists create a more comprehensive strategy to address SUD in youth that may lead to better outcomes.
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