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Discovering that your child’s friends are getting into vaping, drinking, or trying other substances, or maybe even your own child has started experimenting, can make you wonder: Is this just a normal phase of growing up, or could it lead to serious problems? Instead of leaving things to chance, let’s dive into what you need to know about risk factors for addiction.
Just like heart disease has risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, poor diet, family history and smoking, substance use has its own set of risk factors. They can make some people more at risk of developing problems with substance use including addiction. And just like heart disease, the earlier we recognize these risks, the better we can prevent serious problems down the road.
Here are some important risk factors for addiction.
Family history of addiction
Genes are not destiny, but they do mean we have to pay attention to what our family tree shares with us. If there’s a history of addiction in your family, it’s very important to have a conversation with your child about it. Think of it like talking about any other family medical problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Experts say that genes account for about 50% of risk factors for addiction, while the environment makes up the rest.
Knowing that addiction runs in your family can help your child be more aware of their choices and the possible problems with substance use. The earlier you share your family history with your child the better as many kids are exposed to substances in middle school if not sooner.
Family conflict
Family conflict can also lead to problems. Homes where there is frequent yelling, disrespect or a lack of emotional safety can push teens toward substance use as an escape. It’s important for families to work on healthy communication and respectful ways to resolve problems.
Mental health problems
Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, conduct disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) create a greater risk for problem substance use and addiction. If your child struggles with any mental health problems they may see alcohol and other drugs as a way to deal with their symptoms. Getting mental health help with therapy and medications if needed, can go a long way toward protecting your child.
Not only is it important to look after your child’s mental health, but yours matters too. Kids often model what they see. Making your own well-being a priority can set a powerful example. So if you are depressed, anxious or dealing with another mental health problem including substance use, reach out for help. Not only will it help you stay present and supportive but it also will create a healthier home environment.
Behavioral or impulse control problems
Children who frequently take risks and have difficulty controlling impulses or following rules are at higher risk for substance use problems. Often they look for a rush or a thrill from doing things that push boundaries and that can include substances. While most teens understand the dangers of taking risks, some have trouble resisting impulses to engage in risky behavior.
You might have heard the term “addictive personality”. Although there is no medical diagnosis for this, some parents use it to describe their children who have difficulty resisting risky behaviors.
As parents, it’s important to help these children develop better ways of coping to steer them away from substances. Labeling feelings, asking them to repeat directions, and teaching problem-solving and anger management skills can help. Also being fair, firm and consistent with the rules in your home is important.
Exposure to trauma
Trauma is another of the critical risk factors for addiction. Kids who have experienced trauma or witnessed violence or abuse are at higher risk for substance use and addiction later in life. Trauma can also include the loss of a loved one or pet, accidents, natural disasters – consider all of the floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes and other weather disasters we’ve had destroying peoples’ homes and communities. It’s important for parents and caregivers to recognize the possible impact of trauma on a child and get appropriate help.
Environmental factors
Substance use or addiction among peers in addition to easy access to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs can lead to problems. Knowing your child’s friends and monitoring what they are doing can be protective.
Know that social media, movies and television often make using substances look like fun without showing the downside of it. The companies that market cigarettes, vapes, alcohol and other drugs often target teens with young-looking models, fun activities, and kid-friendly flavors and packaging to attract teens. They know that teens are more likely to become lifetime and profitable users if they start in their early years.
Feeling connected at school
Another concern is lack of school connectedness. This happens when a teen doesn’t feel valued or recognized at school. School should be a place where young people feel supported and engaged – when they don’t, they may turn to substances as a way to cope. Take a moment and think about how your child feels about school. Maybe they need to join a club, have a mentor, get tutoring support or be connected with a teacher or coach who is in their corner. If this is a problem, it might help to reach out to the school counselor and discuss what actions can be taken.
Age of first use
The age at which a teen first uses substances is one of the strongest predictors of addiction. The earlier they start, the higher the risk. So, delaying first use is very important. Why? Because the teen brain is still developing and will continue until they are in their mid-20’s. Substance use can disrupt the way the brain develops. It can lead to problems with thinking skills and memory and for some, lead to addiction. Research shows that use before the age of 15 can lead to a substance use problem for 1 in 4 kids. Waiting until 21 drops the risk to one in 25. The message here is to delay, delay, delay.
Risk Factor Tool
All these risk factors were brought together to create a risk assessment tool that you can use for free and in confidence. It’s available here. Simply answer a series of questions to the best of your ability to find out what risk factors, if any, your child may face. It usually takes people about 5 to 6 minutes to answer all of the questions. After you submit your answers, you’ll receive a report that shows the factors you’ve identified, along with suggestions on how to lower these risks.
Remember, the tool won’t provide a diagnosis or a score. Generally speaking, if more risk factors show up, the situation is more concerning. Should you need more help understanding the report or creating a plan to help your child, don’t hesitate to ask for support.
What can you do?
Focus on preventing and delaying substance use as long as possible, address any underlying risk factors. Work on helping your child develop strong coping skills and healthy relationships. Reach out for help if you are concerned about any mental health problems that arise. And, be sure to manage your own mental health and well-being to set an example. Remember a supportive environment is one of the best protective measures you can provide.