Substance misuse

When we talk about ‘substance misuse’ we are referring to the intake of a chemical (usually considered illegal or unsafe) into the body that influences how the child or young person feels and behaviours.

Sometimes, often initially, the child or young person may find these changes positive and pleasant to experience, and they may report they help them feel happier or more able to forget about their difficulties and worries. However, these initial feelings are usually short-term and repeated involvement with illegal substances can cause significant widespread difficulties for a child or young person and their family that can be very difficult to overcome.

Substance misuse can involve:

• Alcohol
• Medication both prescribed and from over-the counter pharmacies,
• Drugs taken within a sporting content (usually to enhance performance)
• Proactive substances (often called ‘legal highs’)
• Illegal drugs which are graded from Class A to C depending upon their level of risk and danger.

It is important to recognise that many young people, particularly during their teenage years, do ‘experiment’ with substances that are considered harmful or illegal, and most do not go on to develop a drug habit or engage regularly in risky substance misuse. This level of experimentation in trying out drugs or drinking alcohol is often something as an adult to be aware of, be watchful and monitor the impact of, and provide appropriate guidance and support to the child or young person as appropriate (see later in this section: how to talk to a child or young person about possible substance misuse).

Why do children and young people take drugs?

There are many reasons why children and young people, particularly during adolescence, take drugs and begin to misuse substances. For many, it can begin (and end) as an initial experiment to try out something new and different, that perhaps their friends are trying or they have read and feel curious about. A young person may engage with it for a short period of time and then stops and doesn’t try it again. Sometimes taking substances can be a way of having fun and feeling good in the moment, often leading to a short-lived sense of self-confidence. Some young people talk about taking drugs to escape from their worries, to feel something different to their everyday difficult feelings of pain, distress, or emptiness. For others, particularly those who are vulnerable and recognised as ‘at risk’ in terms of poor general wellbeing and mental health, they can find it more difficult to recognise the danger of misusing substances and resist their influence. They are more likely to engage regularly in behaviours that become habit forming and ultimately detrimental to their wellbeing.

Recognising a child or young person is engaging in substance misuse

It isn’t always easy to know when a child or young person is engaging in substance misuse behaviours, especially as many children and young people may be secretive and reluctant to speak about their actions openly. As always, noticing concerning changes in a child or young person which are persisting over time can be an indicator that they are struggling with something:

• Does their mood fluctuate significantly?
• Are they increasingly agitated, tired, anxious, drowsy, hot or dehydrated?
• Have they changed their friendship groups?
• Are they staying out later than usual or not sharing where they are going?
• Do they need more money than usual?
• Are they stopping doing things they used to enjoy?
• Are you noticing changes in how they are communicating with you?
• Has their relationship with key family members changed?
• Are they struggling to attend school or manage their school work?

How can you talk to a child/young person about substance misuse?

Before you start, it’s advisable to do some research and make sure you are feeling confident and informed about your own knowledge of current drug or substance activity as things change, particularly from one generation to another. Picking the right time and place to talk to a child or young person about possible substance misuse is very important as it’s helpful if you are both feeling calm and unhurried, so think carefully about finding a quiet space or time where you won’t be interrupted or distracted. Often it can be helpful to have important conversations whilst doing other activities, such as going for a walk or drawing together, or when driving somewhere.

Starting a conversation broadly can often be helpful, such as asking about how things are going for the child or young person and working up to beginning to ask them why they think people sometimes take drugs or drink alcohol. It’s important to be non-judgmental and understanding in our communications with a child or young person, so listening with respect and calmness to them, allowing the child or young person to communicate and share their thoughts and feelings, and vitally not making assumptions that we know what they may (or may not) be taking or doing. Be mindful of any suggestion of possible peer pressure the child or young person experiences into taking substances, and think with the young person different ways they might handle these situations, such as with more positive assertiveness or socialising less with these peers.

Normalising how common it is for many children and young people to try substances can be useful to share, and this can helpfully lead to a useful discussion around how to keep themselves safe and make decisions that promote their wellness. Problem-solving (such as through role-playing) how a child or young person could respond (what to say or do) in social situations where drugs and alcohol are being offered to them, can also be a useful exercise to complete.

It’s important to share any concerns or worries you may have about the child or young person’s behaviour, and encourage them to talk with you or another trusted person about any difficulties they have. Your aim is to have an open and honest discussion about drugs and alcohol, helping the child or young person to understand the risks in taking them, and helping support them to make informed healthy and safe choices. Providing appropriate information about the dangers of substance misuse and local places a child or young person can access support and help (like through a school nurse, their GP, a specialist drug and alcohol youth worker) is a valuable role for a non-mental health specialist to take.

You can explore this topic further via the following link: Feeling pressured to take drugs? 10 ways to deal with it.