Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 113 WHY SOME TEENS USE ALCOHOL AND DRUGS Some teens try substances such as alcohol or drugs only a few times and stop. Teens who keep using substances may form a strong need, or craving, for them. This can lead to a substance use disorder. Personal, family, and community factors increase a teen's risk for using substances and maybe developing a disorder. PERSONAL RISK FACTORS These include: • Temperament and personality. Teens who have certain traits may be more likely to use substances. These include being rebellious, being impulsive, resisting authority, feeling like a failure, and not having close relationships. • Genetics. Genes play an important role in personality. As a result, substance use disorder often runs in families. • Certain health conditions. Teens are more likely to use alcohol or drugs if they have untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or an anxiety disorder. Alcohol and drugs may make these conditions worse. • Wrong ideas about substance use. Teens often have the wrong ideas about the harmful effects of substances. And they often think that "everybody does it" and so should they. • Starting at an early age. Using alcohol or other drugs at a young age greatly increases a teen's risk for having a substance use disorder. FAMILY RISK FACTORS Teens are more likely to use alcohol or drugs if: • A parent uses alcohol or other substances. • A parent or teen has depression, anxiety, or ADHD. • They think their parents believe that it's normal for teens to experiment with alcohol and drugs. • Their family has frequent stress or conflict or emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. • Their parents aren't involved enough with them and don't supervise them. Harsh or inconsistent punishment or being too lax also can increase the risk of substance use. COMMUNITY RISK FACTORS These include: • Access to substances in the home and community. • Peer influence. A teen may want to fit in with a group of peers who use substances. • Promotion of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs by the media. Many types of popular media show alcohol and tobacco use as "cool" and as a way to gain popularity, success, and sex appeal. Image by Freepik
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