The Connection Between Unaddressed Trauma And Substance Use In Adolescents
Be honest – when you hear the word ”adolescence,” the first things that pop to your mind are hormones, drama, and boundary-pushing. To some extent, that’s true. After all, teens are figuring themselves out, testing limits, stumbling a little. Yet, what looks like typical teen behavior can sometimes be painful. Or rather, trauma that never got addressed in the first place. When that pain doesn’t have anywhere to go, some adolescents look for ways to quiet it. Substances can become an easy shortcut – a way to take the edge off anxiety, numb difficult emotions, or escape thoughts they don’t know how to talk about yet. That’s why understanding the connection between unaddressed trauma and substance use matters. If we only focus on the behavior, we miss what’s driving it. But when we understand the link, we’re better equipped to respond with support instead of punishment – and that can change the outcome entirely.
What Does Trauma Look Like in Teens?
Trauma doesn’t have a uniform presentation, in young adults, in particular. One teen might lash out at everyone. Another might go silent. Some become high achievers, burning themselves out trying to control something in their lives.
And the sources of trauma aren’t always dramatic, either. Yes, abuse, violence, or neglect are common roots. But so are:
- Divorce
- Housing instability
- Bullying
- Death of a loved one
Even growing up in a household where emotions were rarely acknowledged can trigger trauma.
Trauma can be loud or quiet. Acute or chronic. Visible or invisible.
And if no one helps a teen name it or navigate it? That’s when things can start to spiral.
Subtle Signals That Point to Substance Abuse
It’s not always easy to tell if a teen is just being – well, a teen – or if there’s something more at play.
- Maybe they’re sleeping more. Maybe less.
- Grades dip, or they stop showing up for things they used to love.
- Some start skipping class. Others start picking fights at school.
Now, some might say – a skipped class here, a skipped class there, what’s so bad about it? Aren’t we all guilty of doing it at one point or another? Why, yes, however, once such behavior becomes a pattern, chances are something worse is happening under the hood. That something might just be substance abuse, which is exactly why recognizing the red flags is important. The earlier you notice what’s going on, the better the chances of stepping in before things really unravel.
Does your teen seem more withdrawn as of late? They could be dealing with unaddressed trauma and substance use.
Why Trauma Makes Substances So Appealing
Trauma doesn’t just sit in the mind. It lives in the body, too. It floods the nervous system, messes with sleep, appetite, and emotional regulation. And when those internal alarms keep going off – when anxiety, panic, or numbness become a teen’s normal – substances start to look like an escape hatch.
Alcohol might quiet the noise. Weed might bring the first bit of calm they’ve felt in months. Pills might help them sleep without nightmares. It’s not a healthy coping mechanism, but it is a coping mechanism. And the longer the trauma persists, the worse their substance use gets. It becomes a lifestyle. A habit. Eventually, a dependency.
What’s Driving the Behavior?
The tricky part about adolescence is that everything’s in flux, even without trauma. But here’s a framework to help you tell the difference between typical teenage behavior and unaddressed trauma and substance use.
Look for:
- Sudden shifts in energy or personality
- Isolation from friends or family
- Unexplained physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches)
- Risky or impulsive behavior
- Emotional numbness or overreactions that don’t match the moment
One sign on its own isn’t always cause for alarm. But when you start seeing a few stack up, when they seem to come out of nowhere in particular, it’s time to dig deeper.
Question not only what they are doing, but how they are feeling. What has been difficult or challenging for them recently? Do they have anything that is “keeping them awake” at night?
The goal isn’t to interrogate. It’s to create space for honesty. A lot of teens won’t volunteer this stuff unless they feel genuinely safe doing so.
Trauma Won’t Go Away on Its Own
A lot of teens learn early to keep it moving, especially if they’ve seen adults around them do the same.
The problem with unaddressed trauma is that it doesn’t vanish. It hides. It festers. And eventually, it shows up in ways that are harder – and more painful – to ignore.
It’s easy to focus on behavior: skipping school, lying, and drug use. But if we stay surface-level, we miss the why and the chance to actually help.
And there’s research to back this up. Adolescents with a history of trauma exposure were significantly more likely to engage in early and sustained substance use compared to their peers. The study also noted that unresolved trauma – not just the experience itself, but the lack of support afterward – was a strong predictor of substance-related risk behaviors over time.
Translation? Ignoring the trauma only strengthens its grip.
Has your team been showing symptoms of trauma and substance abuse? Help them get access to helpful resources.
How to Be the Safe Person in a Teen’s Life
No one expects you to be a licensed therapist. But what teens do need is someone who notices. Who stays curious instead of critical. Who holds space without pushing.
Sometimes that looks like asking questions, even when they roll their eyes. Sometimes it’s being okay with silence until they’re ready. And sometimes it’s saying:
“I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. Want to talk about it?”
It also means being ready to bring in backup – school counselors, trauma-informed therapists, peer support groups – when things go beyond what you can handle at home.
There’s Still Time to Resolve Unaddressed Trauma and Substance Use
Maybe you’re reading this and realizing the signs have been there for a while. Perhaps things have already escalated. That doesn’t mean it’s too late. The brain is still developing well into a person’s 20s. That means there’s still a window for change – for healing, for recovery. And if nothing else, let this be a reminder: it’s not about being the perfect parent, caregiver, or friend. It’s about being present. Being real. And being willing to address the unaddressed trauma and substance use, finally. Together.