Helping Addicted Adolescents

An adolescent must quickly come to terms with waving goodbye to childhood. A weight is placed on their shoulders that they’ve never felt before, and their cries for help are often overlooked, brashly dismissed because “they’re basically an adult now.”

These dismissals may be a tragic contributor to the 12,000 young people who contacted drug support services last year.

This help guide gives you signs to watch for when an adolescent is struggling with drugs or alcohol, as well as ways to help and support them toward a brighter future.

How many adolescents are struggling with addiction?

It is not uncommon for most teenagers to go through late adolescence and experiment with alcohol and substance use. Almost every one of us can relate, in some way, to the rebellion we felt in our teenage years as we sought out trying something forbidden.

Yet adolescent addiction is more common than many of us realise. The NHS has research in their 2023 Digital Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use Report, showing 13% of pupils had ever taken drugs. 37% of those said they had drunk alcohol, and 5% said they usually drink alcohol “at least once per week.”

Cannabis is the most common substance that adolescents in the UK begin treatment for, at 87%. There are also increasing numbers of young people needing treatment for solvent misuse, rising from 2.9% in 2022 to over 5% the following year.

These statistics help us to imagine how lucky we are that our adolescent experimentation did not develop into full-blown addiction, and allow us to empathise with those who may not have received any support, slipping through the cracks of the safety net.

What is causing so many adolescent addictions?

An adolescent is not immune to the myriad of factors that influence addiction development in an adult; in fact, they may even be more vulnerable to them. The teenage mind is constantly developing, especially in areas linked with impulse control and decision-making. Both of these areas are critical to a person’s likelihood of addiction taking hold.

Therefore, the contributors to adolescent drug experimentation and subsequent addiction are complex. Researchers have already highlighted the lack of research on antecedent predictors of early alcohol use. There is rarely one single driver of adolescent substance use, as both nature and nurture (or psycho-social forces) affect their decisions every day.

Recurring drivers of adolescent substance use

Specifically for adolescents, there are often recurring drivers that lead them to substance experimentation. These include:

• Brain development and risk-taking: Adolescent brains are still developing in areas responsible for judgement, impulse control and long-term planning, making them more likely to take risks without giving credence to the consequences.
• Parenting influences and family dynamics: Research shows that the way a parent models alcohol or drug use strongly influences their child’s choices.
• Broader social, cultural and peer pressures: Teenagers are inundated with media messaging that revolves around drinking and drug taking, and sometimes this is done in an unrealistic light.
• Genetic predisposition and inherited vulnerability: Research suggests heritability for alcohol use disorders from 50-60%. While genetic factors can predispose a person to addiction, it doesn’t mean every person with those genes becomes an addict.

How can I recognise signs of adolescent addiction?

Tumultuous adolescent years are fraught with swinging moods, and it’s hard to know whether changes should be seen as “normal” or more concerning. However, some patterns should raise alarm bells if they are ongoing or become more severe:

How can I start the conversation?

Realising that a teenager may be struggling with substances will feel overwhelming. For parents, opening the discussion will often come with a heavy dose of self-blame. While it’s natural to wonder what you could have done differently, focusing only on guilt risks shutting down the very dialogue your child needs most.

When you do feel ready to talk, keep these points in mind:

• Start with concern, not confrontation: Approach them calmly and avoid accusations. Teenagers are more likely to open up if they don’t feel judged.
• Use “I” statements: Say things like, “I’m worried about you and want to understand what’s going on” to show empathy without putting them on the defensive.
• Admit you don’t have all the answers: It’s okay to say you’re unsure what to do, but stress that you’ll face it together and seek professional support if needed.

Conversations may not go smoothly the first time, which is okay. What matters most is showing consistency and an unwavering willingness to keep listening.

An adolescent in my life needs support with an addiction

Helping a teenager through addiction can be overwhelming, but please remember, you don’t have to face it alone.

At UKAT, we specialise in treatment for young people, combining medical care, therapy, and family support. Our programmes are designed to uncover the roots of addiction and give adolescents the tools to build a healthier future.

If you’re worried about your child, reach out today. We’re here to listen and guide you towards the next step for a brighter, sober future.