Drugs and young people

Young people who use drugs have different reasons for doing so:

  • Because it’s normal within their social group
  • Curiosity
  • To cope with difficult experiences or situations that are stressful or upsetting

Using drugs puts young people at risk of accidents, poor physical and mental health, and potentially death. Young people who use drugs to cope with negative feelings can find that the effect is short-lived and followed by an increasingly low mood. Long-term cannabis use has also been linked with paranoia and psychosis. In the short term, concern is raised if the young person:

  • Feels out of control of their drug use
  • Experiences withdrawal symptoms
  • Can’t remember what happened when they were using drugs
  • Experiences negative mood changes
  • Fails to meet expectations, e.g. going to college or work.

You can get advice about helping young people who are using drugs at Young Minds.

Young people can get information and advice about drugs and alcohol from the FRANK website or from the young people’s support service The Mix.