Young people, mental health and alcohol and other drugs

If your young person is experiencing mental health needs, such as anxiety or depression, they may be more likely to use alcohol or other drugs to cope.¹

Some common mental health symptoms experienced by young people are:

• hopelessness
• anxiety
• low mood
• irritability
• lack of quality sleep
• negative or racing thoughts.²

While some young people might use alcohol and other drugs to cope, others may find alcohol and using other drugs triggers their first symptoms of mental ill health.³

The relationship between alcohol and other drugs and mental health can be complex, and one doesn’t always lead to the other. But they can often impact each other.

Young people with mental health needs are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs more frequently, and use multiple substances at the same time.^4,5

• In 2017, high school students with mental health needs were more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs than those without mental health needs.⁶
• In 2014, 45% of young people with major depressive disorder had used cannabis or other drugs.⁴

If you think your young person might be experiencing poor mental health, and/or using alcohol and other drugs to cope, it’s important to check in with them and get access to help.

Co-occurring AOD use and mental health needs

Some young people experience an AOD dependence and mental health needs at the same time.

This is referred to as co-occurring, or sometimes also called ‘dual diagnosis’, ‘coexisting’ or ‘comorbidity’.⁷

Co-occurring mental health needs and alcohol and other drugs use or dependence can affect each young person differently.

Alcohol and other drug use in young people can escalate when their mental health needs are present or untreated, and vice versa. This can worsen the symptoms of AOD use and mental ill health.

If your young person is experiencing mental ill health, they may use alcohol and other drugs to reduce their symptoms and experience temporary relief.  But, once the effects of the drug subside, mental health symptoms can be intensified. This can lead to a cycle of using more and building a tolerance to alcohol and other drugs.⁸

If you think your young person is experiencing co-occurring mental health needs and alcohol and other drug use, it’s important you get access to support and guidance from health professionals.

See our list of health and support options below or book an appointment with your GP.

You can read more about alcohol, other drugs and mental health in young people here.