The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a study highlighting a concerning trend among American teenagers: the increasing role of stress and anxiety in driving substance use. 

The report, covering data from 2014 to 2022, sheds light on the motivations behind adolescent substance use, pointing to a growing need for interventions that address mental health and stress reduction.

Understanding The Drivers Of Adolescent Substance Use

The CDC’s research, focusing on teens aged 13 to 18 being assessed for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment, reveals a complex picture.

A staggering 73% of respondents admitted to using substances like alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs to feel more mellow, calm or relaxed. Additionally, 50% reported substance use as a means of experimentation or fun, while significant percentages cited using substances to forget problems or bad memories (44%) and to cope with depression or anxiety (40%).

Implications For Public Health

These findings underscore the urgent need for public health initiatives aimed at reducing stress and promoting mental health among teens. By addressing the root causes of substance use, such as anxiety and trauma, and educating young people on the risks of using drugs alone, there’s an opportunity to significantly reduce substance use among teens and its associated risks.

The Role Of Social Dynamics In Substance Use

Interestingly, the study also notes the social triggers of substance use among teens. A vast majority of respondents reported using substances with friends (81%), while a worrying 50% also reported using alone, especially when it came to prescription drugs. This solitary use, especially of prescription drugs, heightens the risk of fatal overdoses. 

The report emphasizes the importance of harm reduction education and strategies, such as the availability of naloxone, to prevent overdose deaths.

A Call For Comprehensive Strategies

Beyond addressing the immediate challenge of preventing teen substance use, it is critical to reevaluate failed approaches stemming from the War on Drugs like DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), which cannot provide a pragmatic public health response to the problem. Rather, the crisis demands solutions that address the underlying causes of stress, anxiety and social pressures experienced by youth.

Read also: Semrush Index: Mental Health, War On Drugs And Sustainability Dominate Global Online Concerns

Photo by Jesús Rodríguez on Unsplash.