Research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday unveils insights into why teenagers with suspected substance use problems turn to drugs. Sarah Connolly, the lead author and an epidemic intelligence service officer at the CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention, noted that rising anxiety, depression, and hopelessness among youth could be driving factors.

The study, the first of its kind, builds upon previous limited research on adolescent drug use motivations. It draws from data collected through the National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program, involving self-assessments from 15,963 teenagers aged 13 to 18 between 2014 and 2022. Notably, all participants were flagged for substance use disorder and subsequent treatment.

Key findings reveal that 73% of participants cited the desire "to feel mellow, calm, or relaxed" as a reason for drug use, with 44% using drugs as sleep aids. Additionally, 40% reported using drugs to cope with depression or anxiety, while the same percentage used them to "stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories."

Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding, chief academic officer at Seattle Children's Hospital, emphasized the significant overlap between substance use disorder and mental health conditions among young people. She stressed the importance of recognizing warning signs indicating the need for intervention and support.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, underscored the importance of early prevention interventions to address stress, anxiety, and depression as triggers for drug use among teens. The study also highlights a prevalent use of marijuana among teenagers, alongside concerns about its link to psychotic disorders.

Dr. Sharon Levy, chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, expressed concerns about the immediate and fatal consequences of opioid use among youth. She emphasized the need for parents to educate their children about the risks of drug use, including the dangers of using alone.

Experts recommend open communication between parents and teens about drug-related risks and providing resources like naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. Levy emphasized the need for parents to counterbalance societal attitudes towards drug and alcohol use by fostering a supportive and informed environment at home.