Why is it important to understand why young people use drugs
Share
Print + Download
Young people use drugs for all sorts of different reasons. As family and carers, it is helpful to understand that there is a function and meaning to a young person’s drug use.
The reasons behind a young person’s use are normally valid and understandable reasons that can change over time. Young people may take risks and experiment with drugs and learn through their experiences.
Adult and adolescent perspectives can differ when it comes to drug use. For example, for a young person drug use may create a sense of belonging, be a part of testing limits, create excitement or a way to have fun and bond with peers. Adults may perceive this behaviour to be thoughtless, dangerous and acting without fully thinking about consequences. It can be helpful to view drug use from the perspective of a young person who is going through the process of adolescent development.
Adolescents go through a period where they experience a range of changes physically, physiologically, emotionally and socially. During this period young people are developing their identities and you may notice that they want to spend more time with their peers. As part of developing their identity, they may seek out new and novel activities and take risks. This is all part of adolescent development.
Some common reasons young people say they use drugs or alcohol are:
To stop being bored
To have fun
To help unwind and relax
To aid sleep
To manage stress
To get motivated
To relieve physical or emotional pain
To slow down racing thoughts
To fit in and be social
To feel good
To feel comfortable in social situations
To have interesting ideas and be creative
To help with side effects from medication
It is not always obvious which of these (or any other) reasons are behind why someone you care about uses drugs. Acknowledging that there are reasons for drug use can help promote a supportive and empathetic approach to the person you care about. Having a conversation about the reasons the young person is using drugs (both good and bad) provides information that is crucial to inform the most effective support options for the young person.
For a young person to make changes to their use, they will need to learn other ways that fulfil the needs currently met by drugs.
The reasons behind the use are normally valid and understandable ones and normally the same needs as most young people have.
†
Get help now
YoDAA is a free and confidential online and phone service that offers supports to young people, families and professionals. You can contact 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
No one wants someone they love to develop a problem with drugs or alcohol. In the face of frightening reports about the risks that drugs or alcohol pose you can be forgiven for feeling powerless or helpless in protecting young people…
No one wants someone they love to develop a problem with drugs or alcohol. In the face of frightening reports about the risks that drugs or alcohol pose you can…
Ice is one form of methamphetamine. Using ice causes a surge in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that are vital to the normal healthy function of the human brain with each responsible for regulating different functions.
Ice is one form of methamphetamine. Using ice causes a surge in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that are vital to the normal healthy function of the human brain with each…
Drug tests that claim to show whether or not a young person has been using drugs are a tempting option for family members concerned about a persons behaviour. But are drug tests everything they are cracked up to be?
Drug tests that claim to show whether or not a young person has been using drugs are a tempting option for family members concerned about a persons behaviour. But are…
Using scare tactics can be hugely tempting when talking about drugs with a young person you care about. But how effective is this kind of messaging and what are the alternatives?
Using scare tactics can be hugely tempting when talking about drugs with a young person you care about. But how effective is this kind of messaging and what are the…
So your loved one has finally agreed to get help for problems with alcohol and other drugs, but when you call their youth worker and ask for information about how they are going, it feels like you are getting the run around.
So your loved one has finally agreed to get help for problems with alcohol and other drugs, but when you call their youth worker and ask for information about how…
Helping a Young person through their drug use can be a long, exhausting journey for families. If a young person finds themselves feeling ready to change, it can frustrating to find there are waiting times for services…
Helping a Young person through their drug use can be a long, exhausting journey for families. If a young person finds themselves feeling ready to change, it can frustrating to…
Don't delete me. This is used to get the current Tailwind screen.
