Health & Fitness
Why Does My Teen Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?
Laura Gilbert, MFT offers insights into why teens use and abuse substances and how identifying and addressing these whys can prevent experimentation from progressing to abuse or addiction.
Why did my kid get so caught up with drugs and alcohol? His grades are going down. Her personality seems to be changing. Sometimes I'm worried about her safety. I smell marijuana on him. He stumbles when he comes home after a party. She's been keeping secrets. Why? What propelled her experimentation into abuse?
As a therapist who works with youth and young adults who abuse, I know this question is a valuable one. And we need to ask kids, because they are the experts on their own lives. The more we can understand what is underneath the use, the more we can hopefully help teens stay clean.
Here are the reasons they consistently give me:
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- Because things are more fun when I’m drunk or high
- I want to see life differently
- I want to do something that is against the rules
- Because my friends are doing it
- Because people pressure me
- Because it's cool
- I’m stressed
- I need to fit in
- I'm shy
- I want to feel normal
- I have ADHD and it helps me chill
- I want to lose weight
- I need to stay up to do my homework
- So I can study and sit still in class
- I feel bad inside
- So I don’t get angry and explode
- I’m bored
- I can’t stop
- Because life's too hard sometimes
It’s not always to be expected that kids share this kind of stuff with their parents, but if these underlying reasons can be identified and addressed, a parent can advocate for their teen in ways that can really prevent drug and alcohol abuse or addiction. And, another huge bonus, you might actually feel closer to your kid. Always a good thing.
