Written by Marchelle Abrahams
The wonder years are meant to be a time of discovery. Finding out who you really are. Making new friends. Falling in love and experiencing your first heartbreak.
And yet, kids aren’t doing childhood like they’re supposed to. The U.S. is currently in the throes of a teen mental health crisis. The National Institute of Health claims that one in five teens is diagnosed with a mental health or behavioral condition.
Anxiety. Depression. Academic pressure. The list includes the “best of” attractions that feed on the next generation. Most are vulnerable and scared. With little else to turn to, they experiment with substances.
The Child Mind Institute found that over 60% of teens who use substances also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. That percentage is shockingly high.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sarper Taskiran at the institute says that generally, almost half of kids with mental health disorders, if not treated, will end up with a substance use disorder (SUD).
Opioids, an Overlooked Issue
A study published in Health Affairs, in September last year, shed light on another problematic issue. It indicated that only one in three kids with past-year OUD received treatment.
And, in a national 2023 survey, 1.3% of kids between the ages of 12 and 17 reported an OUD. It might not sound like much, but the Prison Policy Initiative puts it into perspective. That percentage represents about 342,000 children, more than the total population of Newark, New Jersey.
Substance use is a serious issue among young people. But experts agree that the treatment protocols are failing them. So, how can counselors like you fix what’s broken? We’ll explain below.
Making Treatment More Accessible
The lack of access to SUD treatment will always be a moot point. The same Health Affairs study found that fewer than one in four treatment facilities offered programs specifically designed for adolescents.
Most families can’t afford private treatment facilities, which is why health insurance can be a lifeline. To make the experience less scary for families, research adolescent treatment centers that accept insurance.
Depending on the policy, a teen rehab that accepts insurance may cover some or all of the cost of teen addiction treatment. Contact adolescent rehabs covered by insurance directly to verify benefits and understand what’s covered. Artemis Adolescent Healing Center explains that teenage brains are still developing, requiring specialized care.
A Holistic Approach
Traditionally, law enforcement visits a school and teaches the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. The message is complete abstinence. Don’t do drugs.
This approach doesn’t work. It’s largely ineffective. It’s outdated. And guess what? One study in the American Journal of Public Health even suggested that kids who completed D.A.R.E. were more likely to take drugs.
“We know that the ‘Just Say No’ campaign doesn’t work. It’s based in pure risks, and that doesn’t resonate with teens.” developmental psychologist Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD.
Psychologists suggest using a different method. Instead of preaching not to use substances, acknowledge that some are still going to try it. And help them avoid the worst consequences, says the American Psychological Association (APA).
It might seem unconventional and taboo, but incorporating principles of harm reduction could be a solution.
Respecting Autonomy
Harm reduction therapy incorporates respect for autonomy, ambivalence, and lived experience, Barry Lessin tells FilterMag.
Lessin is the co-author of Harm Reduction Approaches With Adolescents Who Use Substances. He agrees that traditional treatment methods lean heavily on abstinence, compliance, and diagnosis. Never mind understanding context and relationship.
Harm reduction therapy centers on safety, collaboration, and small and incremental change. Counselors can build trust by reducing harm in the real world. You can have boundaries about adolescent substance use, and still meet young people where they are.
Harm reduction therapy respects that process by giving teens a sense of agency and supporting healthy identity development.
It Starts in the Classroom
The adage still applies: One size does not fit all. That’s why schools are combining harm reduction with traditional prevention.
Many experts trust this process. NGOs and various civic organizations offer free resources for counselors and schools. Stanford’s Halpern-Felsher REACH Lab has free, evidence-based programs.
Honest discussions must start somewhere. In the home. At school. Encourage teachers and parents to have these discussions. If they fear their kid has a substance use problem, asking for help is not a shame.
FAQs
Why are adolescents with mental health conditions at greater risk for substance use disorders?
Mental health challenges and substance use mostly go hand in hand. According to the Child Mind Institute, more than 60% of teens who use substances also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Why is specialized addiction treatment important for teens?
Their brains are still developing, particularly in areas related to decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. Teen-focused treatment programs are designed to address these unique developmental and mental health needs.
What is harm reduction, and how does it differ from abstinence-only approaches?
Harm reduction acknowledges that some teens may experiment with substances and focuses on reducing the risks associated with that behavior.
How can families find more affordable adolescent addiction treatment?
Many treatment centers accept health insurance, which may cover some or all treatment costs depending on the policy.
Key Statistics on Teen Mental Health and Substance Use
| Statistic | Finding | Source |
| Teens diagnosed with a mental health or behavioral condition | 1 in 5 adolescents | National Institutes of Health (NIH) |
| Teens who use substances and also have a mental health disorder | More than 60% | Child Mind Institute |
| Adolescents with past-year opioid use disorder (OUD) who received treatment | Approximately 1 in 3 | Health Affairs |
| Treatment facilities offering adolescent-tailored substance use programs | Less than 23% | Health Affairs |
Where To From Here?
Accessing treatment is one part of the problem. Then there’s the stigma, the lack of available resources, and the thinking that teen drug use is framed as “experimenting”.
Fixing the crisis requires going back to the drawing board and reworking outdated methods. Integrating screening into schools, improving family education, and expanding access to teen-specific mental healthcare.
And it all starts with you. Counselors are aptly tuned into the chaotic daily lives of teens. It’s your superpower. Use it.
Author bio
Writer by day, dream catcher by night. Marchelle Abrahams cut her teeth during the infancy of the internet when the dial sound of the modem was more than a soundbite at a rave. Not a Millennial and not a Boomer, Marchelle is an in-betweener, making her a special breed of human. As a qualified journalist, Marchelle believes her superpower is stringing a few words together and people reading them. That, and the ability to take her kids on with her unique brand of gnarly comebacks.
Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Certification program and our CE courses as well, to see if they meet your academic and professional goals. These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification