Will a young person develop a problem

Worrying that a young person you care about will develop a drug or alcohol problem can create anxiety and fear and can affect how you care and support a young person.

Understanding a little bit about the factors that might contribute to drug and alcohol problems developing can be helpful. Some young people experiment with alcohol and other drugs and for a small group, their substance use might become problematic. Young people’s drug and alcohol-using behaviour is influenced by factors that occur at an individual level, within peer groups, at a school and family level and even at a larger community level. 

Research suggests that particular factors may contribute to the risk of a young person developing drug or alcohol problems and other factors seem to protect against problems occurring and even counteract risk factors  Some examples of risk factors are loss of important structures in the young person’s life like a safe place to live and supportive people, difficult social and environmental circumstances such as loneliness, isolation and stigma, emotional distress, trauma and stress.  

Protective factors are the young person’s existing resources, skills and strengths that equip them to respond to stress and distress. Some examples of protective factors that can counteract risk factors are social and emotional wellbeing, feeling supported and connected to family, supportive connections through school or other activities, personal resilience and coping and problem-solving skills. When risk factors outweigh protective factors a young person is more vulnerable to developing problems.  

There is always a function to a young person’s substance use. Young people use drugs for a range of different reasons including but not limited to; a way of coping or escaping, as part of developing their identity or to have fun and bond with their friends. Substance use can sometimes exacerbate other issues that a young person maybe experiencing. 

A young person using substances may often be choosing to use substances as a means of negotiating difficult environmental or social situations. It can be helpful to look at their substance use as a way of coping with external factors rather than an issue that stems from within them.  

Young people who use drugs to cope with problems or to manage stress in their lives might require additional support to address these issues and develop other coping strategies for the long term.  

Check out these examples of some of the risk and protective factors.

Risk factors don’t “cause” drug problems and similarly protective factors don’t guarantee there will not be a problem but when risk factors outweigh protective factors a young person is more vulnerable to developing problems.

Interested in knowing more about why a young person might use drugs or alcohol? Watch the video below.