UNDERSTANDING DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE
+ Patterns of use
Young people use drugs in lots of different ways. The following list describes the most common ones:
Experimental
Lots of young people experiment with alcohol and/or other drugs at some stage during their teenage years. Someone might try a drug because they are curious or friends are using it, or just because it is there.
Recreational
A high number of young people will continue from experimenting to using drugs recreationally. This is usually using substances socially, for example drinking at a party or taking pills at a festival.
Situational
This is where drugs are used in specific situations. An example is using amphetamines to stay awake during exam preparation, or drinking heavily to get through an emotional time of the year.
Intensive
This is where drugs are used often (regularly) and heavily. This type of use may result in negative impacts on different parts of life.
Dependant
This is where someone doesn’t feel like they have a real choice in using. If they have been using regularly, they start to feel worse if they don’t use. Many young people describe this as feeling like they are not in control of the use, the drug is in control of them.
Patterns of drug use are not pathways – people don’t always go from one type of use to the next on the list.
Also, one person can have different patterns depending on the drug. They might use alcohol on the weekend with certain friends (situationally) and use cannabis every day (dependent).
+ Why do young people use drugs and alcohol?
Young people use drugs for all sorts of different reasons. As a carer or parent, it can help to understand that there is almost always some function and meaning for a young person.
While it might seem obvious to an adult that the use of drugs or alcohol is causing problems, the reasons behind the use are normally valid and understandable ones. Young people who use drugs are usually trying to meet the same needs as most other young people.
Some common reasons young people use drugs and/or alcohol are:
- To stop feeling bored
- To help unwind and relax
- To help sleep
- To get motivated
- To help with painful feelings – e.g. grief, anxiety, anger
- To slow down racing thoughts
- To fit in
- To just feel good
- To feel comfortable in social situations
- To have interesting ideas and be creative
- To relieve pain
- So problems aren’t as much of a bother
- To help with side effects from medication
It is not always obvious why someone you care about uses drugs or alcohol. You don’t have to condone or “be alright” with drug or alcohol use but recognising that there are reasons for it can help the young person you care about feel supported and understood.
Often, for a young person to make changes to their use, they will need to learn other ways that fulfil the needs that are being met by drugs and/or alcohol.
If you are worried about a young persons’ drug and/or alcohol use and want to talk Contact Us
+ Will they grow out of this?
Young people who try drugs or alcohol don’t usually go on to experience problems. For those who do, there are many different pathways into problems with drugs and many pathways out.
As young people grow and mature they can often learn life skills such as: problem solving, impulse control, and coping strategies, which help them to manage their drug and alcohol use. This doesn’t mean that a young person will always grow out of their problems.
Sometimes problematic substance prevents young people from developing important skills and coping strategies. Sometimes, even though a young person may use drugs to help them manage in the short term, the use itself causes more problems and a cycle develops.
Young people experiencing drug related problems need support and encouragement to make changes and move forward. They need supportive relationships, safe and stable environments, opportunities to participate in meaningful activity and to develop skills, knowledge and self-belief in order to have greater control over their own lives.
If you are worried about a young persons’ drug and/or alcohol use and want to talk Contact Us.
+ What young people wish their families knew
YSAS met with young people about to leave rehabilitation and asked them what they would like their family, friends and the community to know.
This is what they said:
“Our use doesn’t define who we are”
“Just because we have made bad choices, it doesn’t mean we are bad people”
“I am not JUST an addict”
“There is no shame in asking for help”
“Times have changed and everything is different”
“Don’t worry so much and try to trust me”
“I am going to make mistakes and you can’t hold my hand”
“This isn’t how it is, listen to the change (in society)”
“There is always a reason why”
“Don’t alienate me and try to put yourself in my shoes”
“My mistakes will give me resilience”
“My mistakes will help me make better choices in the future”
These are client quotes. For confidentiality reasons we do not use names.
Thank you to the young people for their time, contribution and expertise