Why Do Kids Use Drugs or Alcohol?

Researchers have tried for years to figure out how drug and alcohol misuse starts. They have identified risk factors that can increase a person’s chances for misuse, and protective factors that can reduce the risk. Of course, many people with risk factors do not use illegal drugs or alcohol. 

Risk Factors

Young people may try drugs or alcohol to relieve boredom or stress. Some are just curious, while others want to feel grown up or to lessen peer pressure. They may be more likely to try drugs because of circumstances or events called risk factors. Examples of risk factors include:

• Poor grades in school
• Engaging in alcohol or drug use at a young age
• Friends and peers who engage in alcohol or drug use
• Persistent, progressive, and generalized substance use, misuse, and use disorders by family members
• Conflict between parents or between parents and children, including abuse or neglect

To limit risk factors, establish a strong bond with your children so they know you will be there if they have a problem and that it is safe to ask questions. This bond helps them feel more secure and less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol. Also, remember that your words and actions can make a difference.

For example, if you consume an occasional glass of wine with dinner or a cold beer on the weekend, explain to them how an adult drinking in a low-risk manner differs from a minor drinking illegally. If they want to know about your tobacco use, tell them how it has affected your life. Ask them to support your efforts to quit—then do it. You are an important role model.

A risk factor for some youngsters is bullying. Cyberbullying can involve hurtful or embarrassing e-mails, texts, or posts on social media sites. Online and in-person bullying can have multiple negative effects, including increased risk for substance use, mental health problems, poor academic functioning, and other problems. Watch for changes in your child’s behavior and get to know their friends in school. Encourage your children to report bullying, whether it happens to them or to someone else, and let them know that they will be safe and can get support.

Be sure your children use online privileges wisely. Learn the websites they go to and the lingo they use. Know who they talk to in texts, chat rooms, and instant messages. Watch your credit card and bank statements for signs your child may be buying drugs or alcohol. You can also limit their free time or set expectations for how free time is used. For example, you could assign age-appropriate household chores or encourage other productive activities.

Finally, watch media (television shows, movies, online videos) your kids watch. The characters and stories provide great topics for starting conversations with your children and provide insight into their thoughts about sex, drugs, relationships, and other social issues.

Protective Factors

An important goal is to change the balance so the effects of protective factors outweigh those of risk factors. Examples of protective factors are:

• Having high self-esteem
• Attending a school with policies against using alcohol and drugs
• Having an adult role model who doesn't use tobacco or drugs, or misuse alcohol
• Participating in athletic, community, or faith-based groups
• Living in a community with youth activities that prohibit drugs and alcohol

A powerful protective factor is a strong bond with a parent (or caregiver) and letting your child know that someone who cares is available at any time of the day or night. Talking with your child regularly can keep the lines of communication open and build trust. When discussing alcohol and drugs, parents can access a variety of resources to help navigate the conversation. There is even an app for that! The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a campaign called “Talk. They Hear You.” It helps parents and caregivers talk to young people about underage drinking, though many of the concepts apply to drug use as well. The app also suggests questions to ask and gives ideas for keeping the conversation going. Learn more on the Parent Resources page at www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parentresources and through the “Talk. They Hear You.” app at www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/mobile-application 

Define Rules and Consequences

Tell your children often and clearly that you do not want them to use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Do not assume they know this.

Set rules that let your child know what you expect. Help your child learn drug refusal skills. For example, when offered a cigarette, your son can say, “If my mom caught me smoking, I’d be grounded!” This takes the pressure off him and shifts the blame to you, which he may rather do in front of peers. Establish appropriate consequences for breaking rules, and be prepared for your child to test you to see if you follow through. You might even want to involve your children in defining consequences, as it may make them take more responsibility for their behavior.

Praise your child often for respecting family rules. You might share a hug and say, “Thanks for coming straight home from school,” for example. This positive reinforcement boosts your child’s self-esteem and can lessen the likelihood that he or she will use drugs if offered.

Carve Out Individual Time

Strengthening the parent-child bond goes beyond family gatherings. Spend one-on-one time with each child in your home. Ask what is going on in the child’s life without anyone else hearing or interrupting. Make the moments count—whether they happen on a short bike ride or during the drive to school or while you fold laundry. These informal chats help establish open communication needed to raise drug-free children.

Tell your children you will be there any time they need to leave a place where alcohol or drugs are present. If there are times you can’t be there quickly, such as when you are at work, find a responsible adult who can.

Provide Positive Role Models

Children learn what they see. Your attitudes and actions shape theirs. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Never suggest it is a good way to handle problems. Instead, show your child healthy ways to cope with stress or problems, such as exercising, listening to music, or talking with a friend.

Invite other adults to serve as positive role models in your child’s life. Grandparents, for example, can reinforce the values you are trying to portray. If they do not live nearby, use texting, messaging, or video chats to bridge the miles.

Promote Healthy Activities

Find a healthy way to keep your children busy after school, on weekends, or in the summer. Sports provide exercise and can teach children how important it is to stay healthy and drug free. Your child might enjoy taking art classes, participating in a youth club, volunteering, or doing paid jobs in the neighborhood like helping at a camp, mowing lawns, or babysitting

Get Involved: In Their Social Life

Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Share with the other parents your policy against your child’s use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. Exchange contact information and ask them to call if they see your child breaking the rules. Promise to do the same for them.

Check on your kids. If one of them is attending a friend’s party, call the parents of the friend and ask who will be chaperoning (supervising) the kids. Explain your policy on substance use to the parents and ask that no alcoholic beverages or illegal substances be present. You can also go check out the party yourself. Remember that you are responsible for your child’s friends when they are in your home. Most states have stiff penalties for furnishing alcohol to minors. Lock up your alcohol and be sure nobody brings alcohol or drugs to your home.

Get Involved: In Fostering A Healthy School

School connectedness happens when students feel adults and peers at their school care about them and their learning. These students are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to achieve better grades. To learn more, download the free guide, Helping Your Child Feel Connected to School, at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/protective/pdf/connectedness_parents.pdf 

The U.S. Department of Education has developed the new, high-quality, adaptable ED School Climate Surveys and associated Web-based platform to assist schools in assessing their school climate. In a positive school climate, everyone works together to help young people learn. Students feel safe, engaged, and respected. A positive school climate is also related to lower rates of substance abuse and psychiatric problems among students.

If your child’s school doesn’t have a drug education program or a written policy about drug-related incidents, meet with the principal, school board, or PTA to help establish them.

Get Involved: In The Community

Get to know your neighbors. Ask them to tell you about suspicious activity at your home after school if you can’t be there. Return the favor when you are home.

Ask community leaders what they are doing. Are there clubs where teens can hang out, listen to music, or play sports? If not, meet with officials and find out how to create such places. Are there laws (such as checking IDs) to stop minors from buying tobacco and alcohol?

Also, consider the following:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) shows community members how to address substance misuse and related problems. Learn more at www.samhsa.gov/capt/applying-strategicprevention-framework 
•  Organizations like the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) at www.cadca.org can help your community identify and address local issues. CADCA works with more than 5,000 community coalitions in all 50 states and several countries.
• The Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is a federal grant program that provides funding to community-based coalitions to prevent substance use among
  youth. The DFC program has funded more than 2,000 coalitions and mobilizes nearly 9,000 community volunteers across the United States. For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/drug-free-communitiessupport-program