5 Ways You May Be Encouraging Your Teen to Use Drugs or Alcohol

Avoid 5 common behaviors that may encourage your teen's substance abuse. Protect their future today.

Published On

April 23, 2024

Dove Recovery's Team

5 Ways You May Be Encouraging Your Teen to Use Drugs or Alcohol

Influences on Teen Substance Use

Understanding the factors that contribute to teen substance use is the first step in preventing it. Among these influences, the timing of substance use onset and the role of parental influence are significant.

Early Onset of Substance Use

The majority of adults who meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder began using substances during their teen and young adult years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, youth with substance use disorders experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses, diminished overall health and well-being, and potential progression to addiction.

Research from NDSU Agriculture shows that youth who start using addictive substances before age 15 are nearly seven times more likely to develop a substance problem, compared with those who delay first use until age 21 or older. High-risk substance use among adolescents involves substances with a high risk of adverse outcomes such as injury, criminal justice involvement, school dropout, and loss of life.

Impact of Parental Influence

Parental influence plays a critical role in an adolescent's decision to use substances. If an adolescent has a friend whose mother is authoritative, that adolescent is significantly less likely to drink excessively, smoke cigarettes, or use marijuana than an adolescent whose friend’s mother is neglectful, as per a study published by the NCBI. This highlights the importance of parental guidance in shaping the behaviors of not only their own children but also their children's friends.

Moreover, children of parents who consistently communicate the dangers of substances are 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not receive these critical messages at home. Conversely, youth are four times more likely to use drugs if they are not regularly monitored by their parents. (NDSU Agriculture)

In summary, early onset of substance use and parental influence are key factors in teen substance use. By understanding these influences, parents, educators, and community members can better devise strategies to prevent substance use among teens. Prevention strategies should include open communication about the dangers of substance use, positive parental involvement, and early intervention when signs of substance use are observed.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing substance abuse in teens is a multi-faceted effort that requires a combination of strategies. Two key prevention strategies revolve around implementing positive parenting practices and maintaining open and consistent communication.

Positive Parenting Practices

Positive parenting practices play a significant role in shaping an adolescent's behavior, including their propensity for substance use. According to a study published in the NCBI, these practices can influence an adolescent's friendship network through a buffering effect and direct contact effect with the friends' parents. This implies that parents can indirectly influence their child's friends and potentially mitigate peer pressure, a significant contributor to adolescent substance use.

Adopting positive parenting practices involves setting clear expectations, providing consistent discipline, and fostering a warm and supportive relationship. It's about maintaining a balance between setting boundaries and giving teens the autonomy they need to make responsible decisions.

Interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting practices have been shown to be effective in preventing substance abuse. Notably, these interventions may have a greater impact on adolescents' substance abuse outcomes when considering the indirect influence of parents on their children's friends.

Importance of Parental Communication

Communication is a critical component of effective parenting, particularly when it comes to preventing substance use in teens. Open, honest, and regular conversations about the risks and consequences of substance use can have a significant impact on a teen's choices.

Research from NDSU Agriculture reveals that youth whose parents talk to them about the dangers of substances early and often are 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not receive these critical messages at home.

These conversations should not be one-time events, but rather ongoing discussions that evolve as your teen grows and faces new challenges. In addition to discussing the dangers of substance use, it's also important to listen to your teen's experiences and concerns. This two-way communication can foster a supportive environment where your teen feels comfortable discussing difficult topics, ultimately reducing the likelihood of substance use.

By adopting these prevention strategies, parents can play a pivotal role in preventing substance use among teens. While these strategies are not foolproof, they can significantly reduce the likelihood of substance use and guide teens towards healthier choices.

Peer Pressure and Substance Use

Understanding peer influence is critical when discussing substance use among teens. Peer pressure can greatly contribute to substance use disorders, potentially leading to addiction.

Peer Influence on Substance Use

Peer pressure can sometimes manifest as indirect pressure when a teen perceives that many or all of their peers use drugs. Peer social norms can act as a form of peer pressure, influencing individuals to engage in behaviors such as drinking alcohol [1].

Research shows that people with certain personality traits may be more vulnerable to peer pressure, and peer pressure affects adults as well as children and adolescents. Adults may shift their drinking habits based on peer pressure, but much of the research on peer pressure focuses on teenagers due to their vulnerability to peer influence [1].

A 2018 study found that college students who perceived excessive drinking as common among their peers were more likely to engage in heavy drinking sessions, regardless of how common this activity actually was. Perception of the environment as a form of peer pressure and resistance to peer influence were factors affecting behavior modification [1].

Resisting Negative Peer Influences

Peer pressure can lead individuals to experiment with drugs or drinking, especially when surrounded by friends who engage in such activities, even if they initially have no interest in doing so. However, substance abuse is not solely a result of peer pressure but can involve factors like genetics, family history, mental health issues, and societal influences [2].

Strategies to resist negative influences of peer pressure include building self-awareness and confidence, surrounding oneself with positive influences, practicing assertiveness skills, planning ahead for situations where peer pressure may arise, and learning to say "no" without explanation.

By understanding the influence of peer pressure and implementing strategies to resist negative influences, teens can make healthier choices and avoid the pitfalls of substance abuse. This information is crucial for parents and educators as they guide teens in navigating their social environments.

Risk Factors for Teen Substance Abuse

Understanding the risk factors for teen substance abuse can be a crucial step in preventing it. By being aware of the potential triggers and influences, parents can actively take steps to mitigate them and provide their teens with a healthier environment.

Underlying Issues and Risk Factors

Certain underlying issues can significantly contribute to teen substance abuse. These issues may include impulsivity, aggression, social withdrawal, school performance, and behavioral or mental health problems. By ignoring these issues, parents may inadvertently be encouraging their teens to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Furthermore, age can also be a risk factor. Children as young as nine years old start viewing alcohol in a more positive way, and approximately 3,300 kids as young as 12 try marijuana each day. Additionally, about five in 10 kids as young as 12 obtain prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes [4].

Age	Tried Alcohol	Tried an Illegal Drug	Used a Prescription Drug for a Nonmedical Purpose
12	10%	-	50%
15	50%	-	-
High School Seniors	70%	50%	20%

Figures courtesy of SAMHSA

It is essential for parents to assess their child's risk level and engage in open conversations about these concerns, especially if there is a family history of substance abuse.

Modeling Positive Behavior

Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their teen's behavior and attitudes towards substance use. Children tend to pay more attention to what parents do rather than what they say, making it crucial for parents to model positive behavior [3].

Research indicates that having a parent who uses drugs is a strong predictor of adolescent substance abuse. Therefore, parents should follow their own rules, avoid excessive drinking or drug use, and spend quality time with their children to set a positive example. By doing so, they can significantly reduce the likelihood of their teen engaging in substance use.

In conclusion, identifying and addressing the risk factors for teen substance abuse, coupled with positive role modeling, can go a long way in safeguarding your teen's future. If signs of substance abuse are noticed, parents are urged not to delay seeking help as early intervention can prevent the escalation of the problem [3].

Signs of Teen Substance Abuse

Effective prevention and intervention efforts hinge on the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of teen substance abuse. Early detection can lead to timely interventions that may significantly improve a teen's chances of recovery.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

The signs of teen substance abuse can vary widely depending on the substance used, the frequency of use, the teen's personality, and other factors. However, some common signs may include:

Sudden changes in behavior or attitude
Withdrawal from family and friends
Neglect of responsibilities
Unexplained need for money
Sudden drop in academic performance
Unusual tiredness or hyperactivity
Red eyes or dilated pupils
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Unusual smells on breath, clothing, or in the bedroom

It's important to note that while these signs may indicate substance abuse, they can also be indicative of other issues such as stress, depression, or the normal challenges of adolescence. As such, it's crucial to approach the situation with care and understanding, rather than jumping to conclusions.

Importance of Timely Intervention

Timely intervention is crucial in addressing teen substance abuse. The sooner the issue is addressed, the better the chances of preventing further progression into addiction. This can lead to better outcomes in terms of the teen's health, social functioning, and overall quality of life.

Intervention should ideally involve a comprehensive approach that includes medical treatment, counseling, and support for the teen's family. Depending on the severity of the substance use problem, intervention may involve outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, or a combination of both.

The goal of intervention is not only to stop the substance use but also to help the teen develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve their self-esteem, and build a supportive network that can help them stay drug-free.

In conclusion, recognizing the signs of substance abuse and intervening promptly can play a significant role in preventing a teen's experimental drug use from escalating into a full-blown addiction. It's a crucial step in safeguarding your teen's future and ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Seeking Help for Teen Substance Abuse

When a teenager is struggling with substance abuse, it can be a challenging and stressful time for the entire family. Understanding the need for early intervention and knowing where to find support and resources can be crucial in helping your teen overcome these challenges.

Importance of Early Intervention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that youth with substance use disorders often experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses, diminished overall health and well-being, and potential progression to addiction. High-risk substance use among adolescents, which involves substances with a high risk of adverse outcomes such as injury, criminal justice involvement, school dropout, and loss of life, is particularly concerning.

Observations suggest that youth who begin using addictive substances before the age of 15 are nearly seven times more likely to develop a substance problem, compared to those who delay first use until age 21 or older [5]. Therefore, early intervention in teen substance abuse is key to preventing long-term addiction and the associated negative outcomes.

Support and Resources for Parents

Parents play a crucial role in preventing substance abuse and supporting a teenager who may already be struggling. It's reported that youth are four times more likely to use drugs if they are not regularly monitored by their parents [5].

Positive parenting practices, such as open communication about the dangers of substances, can significantly reduce the likelihood of teen substance use. In fact, youth of parents who talk to their kids about the dangers of substances early and often are 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not receive these critical messages at home [5].

However, if your teenager is already struggling with substance abuse, know that help is available. There are numerous resources and support networks that can provide guidance and assistance. These include local community services, online support groups, professional counseling services, and substance abuse treatment programs.

Remember that it's never too late to seek help for your teen. Early intervention and ongoing support can make a significant difference in your teenager's journey towards recovery and a healthier future.