With my clients I use a curious and harm-reductionist approach to addiction and substance use, encouraging those I work with to critically examine their drug habits. I like to inquire about the frequency, dosage, duration, and context when it comes to their drug use. I then help them investigate the positive and negative effects of their drug usage in greater detail. I have the belief that the use of one substance is not generally for one sole reason, rather a drug can mean many different things depending on the substance. For the same client, alcohol can be a sleeping aid—although not an effective one, as alcohol negatively impacts the quality of sleep—or a social lubricant, helping them connect with friends and strangers.
It is important to note that since a person’s prefrontal cortex does not fully develop until they are 25 years old, I give my teen and adolescent clients a lot of psychoeducation about the risks they might pose to their well-being. Although I take a harm reductionist perspective when it comes to substance use for my adult clients, my recommendation for drug use in my teenage clients is to not use it at all.
It is common for people who have suffered trauma to resort to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to help cope with the pain they are experiencing. It is important to process such trauma as this may help reduce substance usage. Substance misuse in adolescence is a complicated problem with several contributing causes, with the most prevalent being a family history of substance use, poor parental monitoring, and social factors such as peer pressure and bullying. Substance use may also be influenced by individual variables, such as psychological disorders, poor self-esteem, and a tendency toward risk-taking behavior. Peer pressure, self-medication, performance enhancement, and experimentation are significant variables that could point to the higher likelihood of drug use in teenagers.
According to a study published in 2017, even though in the previous 40 years, the likelihood of high school seniors using alcohol has decreased by more than 20%, most 12th graders will try alcohol. It’s important to pay extra attention to alcohol since, apart from marijuana and nicotine, it’s the drug adolescents consume most often. I do think there is some merit to the European approach, in which people may only consume higher-ABV beverages like vodka and tequila when they turn 21. Before then, they are restricted to lower-ABV beverages like wine and beer.
Parents should approach the subject of drugs with their kids in an open-minded, nonjudgmental manner. This promotes open communication and demonstrates compassion and understanding from the parents. Unless there are clear red flags, I advise parents not to go through their kids’ phones or violate their privacy. Parents need to talk about their opinions on the matter and provide accurate information about the risks associated with drug usage. They should also educate their kids on how to say “No” to offers of alcohol or drugs. These discussions should be continuous and should begin before kids are exposed to drugs, and middle school is an excellent time to have these conversations.
Sipan Nazaryan is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and a Certified Anger Management Counselor with offices in Sherman Oaks and Glendale. He works with adults and teens providing a comfortable and confidential environment for in-person sessions and telehealth appointments. Sipan has helped numerous people manage their aggressive behavior and their mental health journey. He facilitates numerous weekly anger management classes. Fluent in both English and Armenian, Sipan brings a culturally sensitive approach to his practice, making him accessible to a broad range of individuals seeking mental health support.
