When adults picture substance use among teenagers, alcohol is often the first thing that comes to mind. Today, that conversation also has to cover cannabis, including marijuana, THC vapes, edibles and other products that are easier than ever for kids to access.
October is recognized as Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month, making it a good time to understand what young people may be using and ask why they may be using it.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse points to several reasons young people may begin using substances, including curiosity, peer pressure, wanting to fit in, wanting to feel good and wanting to feel better. Some try a substance once and never use it again. Others may return to it to cope with stress, anxiety, difficult experiences or feelings they do not yet know how to manage. That distinction is where prevention starts because it can change how the adults around them respond
THC Is Not Risk-Free for Teens
As more states have legalized marijuana for adult use and public perception has softened, kids are hearing mixed messages about the risks. Cannabis may be legal for adults in some states, but that does not make THC harmless for a developing adolescent brain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the brain continues developing until around age 25 and that cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood can affect development. Regular or heavy cannabis use during adolescence can impact memory, learning, attention, problem-solving and other skills kids rely on at school and in daily life.
Cannabis use during those years can also lead to cannabis use disorder, a condition where a person can’t stop using cannabis even when it is causing problems at school, at home or with their health. Signs include strong cravings, needing more of the substance to feel the same effect and struggling to cut back. The CDC estimates that about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop cannabis use disorder, with the risk increasing for those who begin using before age 18.
THC products themselves have changed, too. Many products contain higher concentrations of THC than marijuana products of the past. Edibles can look like ordinary candy or snacks, and vapes can look like everyday pens, making them harder for adults to recognize and easier for young people to misuse. That is one of the biggest reasons open conversations at home matter.
Looking Beyond the Substance
Preventing youth substance use is not only about warning kids that drugs are dangerous. Most of them already know. What they may not know is why they keep reaching for something that is starting to cause problems, and that is what the adults around them can help with.
Sometimes the most useful question is: “What is the substance doing for them?” A young person may turn to THC as a way to cope with stress, difficult emotions or other challenges. That short-term relief can reinforce the behavior, even when substance use begins causing problems elsewhere.
This is where trauma matters. Trauma can change how a young person handles stress, relationships and emotions. When kids do not yet have healthy ways to work through those feelings, some turn to substances as a coping tool. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes associations between marijuana use and mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, while emphasizing that the relationship is complex.
Trauma does not automatically lead a young person to substance use, and cannabis use is not always a sign that trauma is a factor. What the connection tells us is that behavior often has a reason behind it, and adults learn more when they approach that behavior with curiosity instead of assumptions. Instead of only asking, “How do we make them stop?” we can also ask, “What needs are they trying to meet, and how can we help them meet those needs in a healthier way?”
Recognizing When Use May Be Becoming a Problem
Adolescence already comes with significant changes, which can make it hard to distinguish typical teenage behavior from signs that a young person may need more support. Rather than fixating on any one shift, parents and caregivers can watch for patterns: pulling away from activities or friendships that once mattered; changes in school performance, motivation, sleep or mood; or using cannabis more often than they intended and struggling to cut back.
Substance use disorder involves continued substance use despite harmful consequences. Kids who use cannabis frequently can also experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop, including irritability, nervousness or trouble sleeping. These signs are not a reason to panic. They are a reason to start a conversation.
Connection Can Be Part of Prevention
Kids need accurate information about substances, but information alone does not prevent use. Prevention also means helping kids build the skills and relationships they need to respond to difficult situations in healthier ways. Adults can help kids manage emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, address underlying behavioral health concerns and stay connected to trusted people who will listen without judgment.
At Ellipsis, our team recognizes that behavior often tells only part of the story. We work with children, teens and families to understand what may be driving a behavior so they can develop healthier responses and skills that last beyond therapy. For a young person who uses substances to escape difficult feelings, breaking the cycle takes more than removing the substance. It takes creating the support, stability and steady footing that make the escape feel less necessary in the first place.
Start With the Conversation
Parents and caregivers do not need to wait until they know a young person is using cannabis to talk about it. Ask what they hear from friends and see online. Find out what they think about vaping, edibles and marijuana. Share the facts without exaggerating them, and make it clear they can come to you with questions or worries. If you are not sure where to begin, SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. campaign has free conversation starters for parents of school-age kids and teens.
If you notice changes that concern you, asking for help early can make a difference. Substance use is complicated, especially when trauma and behavioral health concerns are tied up in it, but understanding what is behind the behavior can help adults respond to the underlying need.
If you are worried about a young person in your life, connect with Ellipsis.
Our therapists work with kids, teens and families to get to the root of what is driving a behavior and develop coping skills that help them move forward.
Visit EllipsisIowa.org to schedule an intake with our behavioral health team.
