When teenagers turn to substances, it’s often more complex than simple peer pressure or rebellion. Many adolescents are unknowingly trying to self-medicate underlying mental health conditions that they may not fully understand or be able to articulate. A teen with hyperactive ADHD might use marijuana because it’s “the only thing that calms them down,” while another might drink to quiet anxiety they don’t even recognize as a diagnosable condition. The rise of social media and internet access has made substances more accessible than ever, while also normalizing drug use through constant media exposure to peers engaging in risky behaviors online.
Paula Martin, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) specializing in adolescent treatment at Neuro Wellness Spa in North Torrance, understands the intricate relationship between teen substance use and untreated mental health conditions.
“A lot of teens resort to substances to treat their anxiety not knowing that — often more than not — it can worsen it and it’s just a temporary fix rather than really identifying the root of everything,” explains Paula, highlighting how teens may unknowingly perpetuate dangerous cycles in their attempts to find relief.
One of the most critical insights Paula shares is about the lack of emotional vocabulary among teenagers. Many teens simply don’t have the words to describe what they’re experiencing, making it impossible to seek appropriate help. Instead, they turn to substances that provide temporary relief without addressing the underlying issues.
In this informative video, you’ll learn:
- Understanding and Addressing Teen Anxiety: Signs, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
- Understanding and Addressing Teen Depression: Signs, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
- Alcohol and Depression: The Dangerous Cycle and How To Break It
- How Do You Know If You Need To Detox From Alcohol? Signs You Should Stop Drinking
Our psychiatrists offer evidence-based mental health treatments and the latest psychiatric medication options through convenient online visits across California or in-person at our locations in the Los Angeles area. Schedule your appointment today.
Paula emphasizes that successful treatment for adolescent substance use requires building genuine trust first. Teens are often reluctant to discuss their feelings or acknowledge problems, making the therapeutic relationship the foundation for any meaningful progress in their mental health journey.
If you’re concerned about a teen’s substance use or mental health, Neuro Wellness Spa offers comprehensive adolescent mental health services with a care team of specialists trained in working with young people. Our compassionate team provides therapy, medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and family support to address both substance use and underlying mental health conditions. Call Neuro Wellness Spa today to begin supporting your teen’s path toward mental wellness and recovery.
Paula Martin, PMHNP, on Adolescent Substance Use
“A lot of the reasons why these kids resort to substance use, a lot of it is social pressure, but other than that, when kids are doing it alone and things like that, they are trying to self-medicate. There are some things there that they’re trying to treat that they don’t know how to get it treated or know how to verbalize it — don’t even know what they’re experiencing.
“I’m Paula Martin, I’m a nurse practitioner at Neuro Wellness Spa, and I specialize with adolescents.”
What is the link between teen substance use and mental health?
“A lot of teens resort to substances to treat their anxiety not knowing that — often more than not — it can worsen it and it’s just a temporary fix rather than really identifying the root of everything. They don’t know what anxiety is, they can’t identify what depression is. They can’t find the words, so, like, it’s very big on, like, teaching them what are feeling words, or trying to identify the emotions that they struggle with.
“For example, someone who is hyperactive type ADHD and has substance use, when asked, like, ‘Well, why are you using, for example, marijuana?’ It’s the only thing that is able to calm them down or they feel like they can be socially appropriate because a lot of people find them annoying or their energy is too much for others. Whereas, like, if they were treated with the right medications, they wouldn’t need to resort to those substances.”
How does technology and the internet influence teen substance use?
“I feel like it’s so hard to filter things on the internet and social devices and things like that. As much as parents try, they can’t be with their teen 24/7. As much as you try to block things, like, there’s different ways to go around it and you’re exposed to multiple avenues of one, finding out what kind of different substances are out there and two, how to access them. And three, like, people now are able to get it through Instagram, Snapchat, all of that.
“So, I feel like it takes a huge role into how these kids are easily accessing things at such young ages because they’re so exposed to the internet. And then even socially, like you see, like you’re able to see, like, ‘Oh, someone my age is doing it, maybe it is OK.’ And it changes their mindset on how OK it is. And sure, they do their research, but more often than not, they see things off of like Reddit and things like that, that don’t have the clinical — or you know — evidence-based background that is really needed to educate these kids on how it can lead to very detrimental situations.”
What’s the best treatment for teen substance use and mental health?
“Honestly, I think the biggest thing too is a lot of these kids don’t like to talk about their feelings, don’t like to accept that there’s something wrong with them or they’re self-medicating. But I think building trust first and foremost and seeing what they can benefit from with the treatment is the biggest thing. Gaining their trust so that they can open up to you and actually you can really see what’s going on is the most important aspect of it all.
“And then it’s always going to be a journey. Mental health is not something that can be fixed in one day, two days — it’s a long journey, and, you know, giving them that buy-in to participate in that journey.
“If you’re a parent or teen and you’re worried about your child’s mental health or your own, please come to Neuro Wellness Spa — we’re always here to help.”