Raising Teens Today is honored to partner with nationally recognized Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh and BNI Treatment Center for Teens on this post. BNI Treatment Center specializes in the delivery of comprehensive residential behavioral health treatment for struggling teens.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you were given a crystal ball to teach you in advance the factors that might lead your child to substance abuse?

Knowing the specific risk factors before your child was even out of grade school would be such a gift, providing you with a roadmap to safely and confidently navigate your teen successfully through the oftentimes tumultuous middle and high school years without a hitch.

Imagine that.

Do this, don’t do that, do this, and don’t do that. Oh, if only it was that simple.

Because parents don’t have the benefit of a magic crystal ball, it might help to understand what factors have been shown to influence teen substance abuse, as well as what protective factors have been identified to help prevent it. Accessing this information, along with an abundance of love, hope, and a little luck can ensure you’re better equipped to help guide your teen from Point A to Point B without them falling into the trap of addiction.

8 Factors that Influence Teen Substance Abuse

According to recent statistics provided by the National Institute of Health, nearly 44 percent of today’s teens have used marijuana and 58 percent of the nation’s sophomores, aged 16, have used alcohol. Both marijuana and alcohol are considered gateway drugs, opening the door to drug experimentation, binge drinking, and potentially addiction. Here’s a  glimpse into what factors contribute to the onset of teen drug and alcohol use and potentially, substance abuse.

Family Environment

Family discord is a common source of stress for teens. Divorce can have a devastating impact on a teen, destabilizing him or her in profound ways. Just as impactful, however, is living in an intact home with parents who fight verbally or physically, who openly display contempt for one another, or who disrespect each other. Kids pick up on the dysfunction and the resulting stress can cause them to seek solace in drugs or alcohol.

Genetic Predisposition

Have you ever stopped to wonder why siblings from the same two parents, raised in the same home with the same rules can end up with totally different experiences regarding substance abuse? One sibling may be stable, hard-working, and socially well-adjusted and shun drugs and alcohol, whereas the other sibling is sullen, depressed and socially isolated and seek refuge in substance abuse. Genetics can predispose our personalities, our coping skills, and our risk appetite. A family history in which addiction is prevalent is also a significant risk factor.

Trauma

When the heart and soul are scarred by trauma at an early age, it can be very difficult to overcome without professional help. In many cases, kids who have been physically or sexually abused, or neglected or exposed to any traumatic event may initially suppress the pain associated with these events. As they get older and are exposed to drugs and alcohol, they may begin to self-medicate these deep pain points and complex trauma with various substances.

Social Issues

Peer scrutiny and social pressure have always been a factor for substance abuse. Kids taunting others to try something or face public shame, or bullying on social media platforms can push an adolescent to try drugs or drinking games just to fit in and avoid being ostracized. Additionally, some kids who may have difficulty fitting in may become depressed and isolated, which can also lead to self-medicating with substances.

Mental Health Disorders

Undiagnosed mental health disorders are a significant factor in teen substance abuse. The teen may be struggling with social phobia, teen depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder and in their attempt to manage their discomfort they may begin leaning on marijuana or alcohol.

Pain Medication

Teens who participate in school athletics may find themselves with an injury or a need for surgery. Far too often, doctors overprescribe opioid pain medications to teens, providing them with enough of the drug to spark an opioid addiction. Even oral surgeons prescribe the addictive drugs when teens get their wisdom teeth extracted.

Accessibility

Most parents are aware of the importance of their teen’s choice of friends. Who they choose to hang out with can contribute to what they’re exposed to. If friends have access or are experimenting with drugs and alcohol, your teen is vulnerable. When teens are in situations where substance abuse is occurring and they have a desire to fit in, oftentimes they’ll succumb simply because the drugs or alcohol are easily accessible.

Stress

Today’s teens are dealing with the highest levels of stress in modern times. When academic stress becomes too intense, some teens simply crack under the pressure and look for ways to manage the demands placed on them. Turning to drugs or alcohol is one way teens seek to relax and decompress from the relentless pressures placed on them at school,  as a result of college preparation, or perhaps the added pressure if they’re required to hold down a part-time job.

Protective Factors to Prevent Teen Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Although it’s not uncommon for parents to feel somewhat helpless when it comes to protecting their teen from the pitfalls of drug and alcohol abuse, there are a few important factors that can serve as a protective barrier against substance abuse.

Establish a close parent-child bond

The key is to establish a strong bond with your child when they’re very young as opposed to waiting until the teen years when kids naturally veer away from parental influences and move toward peer influences. Nurturing a strong bond throughout their childhood via open communication, paying attention to the child’s emotional needs, and remaining engaged in their daily activities will serve as a strong deterrent to them experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Kids who have a strong bond with their parents will seek to please them and will avoid letting them down.

Set a positive example

Kids inherently mimic what they witness, especially during their young influential years. If they see a parent abusing alcohol, smoking marijuana openly or using other forms of drugs, the child will grow up assuming it’s acceptable and normal behavior and emulate it. Be vigilant about the example you set for your kids and strive to be a positive role model in their life.

Provide supervision

Be under no illusion. Most teens will push boundaries when left unsupervised. Starting at an early age, establish specific house rules, set expectations, and provide the supervision needed. Kids actually crave structure. Without set boundaries, kids can easily be led down the wrong path if the opportunity arises for drug and alcohol experimentation.

About the Author

Dr. Aristou Aminzadeh is a triple board-certified physician in psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine, and is the co-founder of BNI Treatment Centers mental health and teen rehab center in Agoura Hills and Beverly Hills, Los Angeles California. Dr. Aminzadeh is a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and also a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. A well-respected leader in the field, he also holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of Southern California, Keck.