Did you know 90% of adults who use nicotine started as teenagers?
90% of adult smokers first smoked as youth. Most adults who start smoking as adults rarely continue to smoke.
Youth are vulnerable to addiction, and nicotine addiction happens quickly because nicotine hacks the body - it quickly absorbs into the blood and passes off as a natural chemical so it can reach the brain.
Nicotine increases levels of feel-good dopamine in the brain, and 1 in 10 people become addicted after smoking only 1 cigarette.
Supporting Youth Mental Health
This week, Therapy Alberta hosted Recovery Alberta for an online Supporting Youth Mental Health Workshop: Substance Use & Youth to talk openly about youth risk and protective factors, substances, use, impacts and prevention.
We also learned:
top 5 ways for teens to thrive,
what teens want from adults,
how to start conversations with youth and keep the conversation going, and
what to do & who to talk to if teens are already using substances.
Here's a spotlight a few of the things from the session. We encourage you to register for our upcoming sessions if you are a parent, or a professional who works with teens.
The Teenage Brain
Two important things we learned about youth brains in the workshop:
Teenagers have big emotions, and their brains play a role. Youth are more likely to interpret a neutral face as negative - the amygdala lights up and they perceive a negative emotion.
Teens also have lower base levels of dopamine than adults, but higher release amounts in response to novelty - hence the natural seeking for risk, novelty, pleasure and reward - all found in substance use.
Substance Use & Youth
On a continuum, substance use ranges from no use > beneficial subscription use > experimental use > casual/non-problematic use > harmful use > substance disorder. Where do you land on this continuum?
Alcohol, cannabis, and smoking/vaping are the top three substances used by youth. The data is alarming and eye-opening:
1 in 5 junior and high school students in Canada report problematic drinking
13 is the average age when youth first start drinking
Opioid painkillers are a commonly misused substances amongst youth
Cough suppressants are a common over-the-counter medicine used to get high
Risk and Protective Factors
Teens use substances for a wide range or reasons, including for relief from pain, peer pressure, social norms, and for coping with mental health, discrimination and isolation.
Risk factors increase the likelihood of substance use among youth, while protective factors help mitigate risk. Both include individual, relationship, school and community aspects.
Risk factors include:
Peer Pressure
Peer Rejection
Family History
Mental Health Issues
Stigma/Discrimination
Protective factors include:
Strong Family Ties
Emotional Support
Positive Self-Esteem
Participation in Activities
Community Involvement
Parents and professionals can take proactive measures to support youth and minimize potential risks.
Top 5 Ways for Teens to Thrive
These are five factors that can help maintain positive mental health and help teens thrive:
Movement: Regular physical activity improves mental health, and moderate to vigorous activity helps manage stress and improve mood.
Sleep: Sleep strengthens brain connections. A bedtime routine with consistent sleep times and reduced screen use is encouraged. Lack of sleep can cause irritability, stress, forgetfulness, and low motivation.
Nutrition: Eating a balanced diet fuels the body, reduces anxiety and depression symptoms and boosts happiness and melatonin for restful sleep.
Kindness: Service, volunteering, and acts of kindness improve well-being and happiness, reducing stress and enhancing emotional health.
Social Connection: Simple gestures like greeting neighbors foster community belonging, reducing stress through positive social relationships. Spending time with family and friends provides belonging and stress relief.
What Teens Want from Adults
The communication gap between teens and adults often shuts down discussions about substance use. Teens want conversations not lectures. What do they truly want from adults?
Recovery Alberta surveyed teens to find out what they want from adults and here's what makes them feel comfortable having conversations:
No judgment: Listen without judgment. No criticism. Listen to understand, don't try to think of your response. Empathize and validate their feelings and experiences
Just talk: Don't make it a big thing. Just talk. Share your stories and what you know.
Location, location, location: Be mindful of where you talk. Teens value privacy also.
Chill out: Regulate your emotions, don't get mad at them for what they've done. If they're honest with you, thank them for being honest.
Efforts to create a safe space for discussions can encourage teens to share openly about substance use, making conversations more effective.
Starting the Conversations
Initiating and maintaining discussions about substance use with teens can be a daunting task. Here are some practical tips:
Start Early & Talk Often: Start talking to youth early about substance use so it becomes a regular part of your conversations. This is not a one time event.
Be Patient & Ready to Listen: Remember your goal is to have a meaningful conversation, not to lecture.
Choose the Right Time: Select relaxed moments for discussions. Casual private settings can lead to deeper and more productive conversations.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage dialogue.
Listen Actively: Give your undivided attention and validate their feelings without rushing to conclusions. This builds trust.
Share Information Gently: Provide risks and benefits of substance use without sounding preachy. Share facts & resources in a relatable way.
Try, Try Again: It's common for the first few attempts to fall flat. Keep trying, keep planting seeds, letting them know you are a safe person to talk to.
Keep the Conversation Going: Keep the lines of communication open by revisiting the subject and showing ongoing interest. Remind & Repeat. Continuous dialogue fosters a stronger connection.
To learn more, register for our Supporting Youth Mental Health Workshop Series that is running from Feb - Mar 2025.
Taking Action Together
The realities of youth substance use can be alarming, but awareness and informed conversations can significantly alter these trends. By knowing the statistics, recognizing risk and protective factors, and fostering open discussions, we can better support our youth.
As communities, we share a collective responsibility to inform and protect our youth. Open discussions about substance use can empower teens to make healthier choices. We can take action today to create a safer future for our young people.
Available Resources and Services
For those seeking structured support, there are numerous resources available to assist youth in navigating substance-related challenges.
Therapy Alberta offers counselling for both teens and families facing mental health and substance use challenges.
Here is a downloadable pdf with resources links from Recovery Alberta:
Here is a downloadable pdf infographic from Recovery Alberta:
Therapy Alberta is a private group practice with psychologists, social workers, and counsellors offering trauma-informed individual, couples, teen and family therapy in Calgary and across Alberta.