Recognising Substance Abuse in Children

Last Updated:

July 14th, 2026

Do children in the UK abuse substances?

This may seem like a strange place to start, but it’s a question that’s worth addressing. When presented with these types of questions, a lot of parents may sit on the side that they’re aware some children take drugs, but “it could never be their child”. Perhaps that’s the idea you, yourself, are sitting with right now.

This is an understandable reaction; after all, you’ve spent countless hours educating and warning your child about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. So why would they still do it?

The reality is, it’s not completely unusual for a child in the UK to have not tried drugs or alcohol.

An NHS survey found that around 11% of 15-year-olds in England alone had taken drugs in the previous year.

But perhaps that’s just curiosity? In most cases, yes. But further government data shows the scary reality that 14,352 children aged 17 and under were in alcohol and drug treatment programmes between 2023 and 2024. In fact, this was a 16% increase on the previous year.

Worryingly, every single one of these numbers is a young person whose substance use reached a point where professional help was needed.

This is why understanding the signs of substance abuse in children is so important. The quicker a problem is spotted, the quicker help can be provided.

substance abuse smoking cannabis

What the signs of substance abuse in children actually look like

The difficulty with recognising substance abuse in children is that many of the signs overlap with normal adolescent behaviour. For example, an out-of-the-blue mood swing or withdrawing from family members are a part of growing up, but they’re also signs of drug abuse.

What can distinguish a substance problem from a typical teenage behaviour is the way they present. You’re not looking for a single red flag, instead, you’re looking for several changes to be happening at the same time.

Secrecy
You might notice your child becoming increasingly guarded about where they’ve been and who they’ve been with. Simple questions about their day might be met with a level of defensiveness that doesn’t match the situation.

That kind of reaction can signal that your child is protecting something they don’t want you to see.

Friendships
It’s normal for teens to cycle through friendships over a period of time. But when you notice new friends entering the picture alongside increased secrecy, it’s worth paying closer attention. This doesn’t mean you should worry every time your child makes a new set of friends but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on when it’s happening at the same time as other changes.
Behaviour
Sleep patterns can become erratic and money might start going missing or being spent in ways that don’t add up. You might also notice changes in their appearance or hygiene that weren’t there before.

None of these on their own confirms a problem, because individually they’re pretty much normal teen behaviour. But if you’ve noticed several of them developing at the same time, it’s worth trusting that instinct rather than explaining it away.

Parents are usually the first to sense that something has changed, even when they can’t quite name what it is.

What drives young people toward substance use

Substance use in young people doesn’t come from nowhere and understanding what’s behind it is the first step toward being able to help.

Peer pressure
Fitting in with a social group can feel like the most important thing in the world at this age. If your child’s friends are drinking or experimenting with substances, saying no can feel like it puts them at risk of being excluded. That kind of social pressure is difficult to resist when belonging to the group feels like survival.
Mental health difficulties
There’s still a widespread assumption that children aren’t old enough to experience real mental health conditions and this is one of the most damaging misconceptions a parent can hold.

Government data shows that 49% of young people entering substance misuse treatment also reported having a mental health treatment need.

When a young person is dealing with anxiety or depression and doesn’t have the language or the confidence to ask for help, substances can become a form of self-medication. In some cases, they may be using because they’re trying to manage something they don’t fully understand.

Pressure at home and school
The pressure on young people today is easy to underestimate. School can feel relentless, with exams and the expectation that they should already have their future mapped out. If home life is unstable on top of that, whether that’s conflict between parents or something they haven’t told anyone about, the emotional load can become too much.

Turning to substances in that situation is a response to pressure that hasn’t been properly addressed.

substance abuse in children addiction causing loneliness

How to have the conversation

The fear of saying the wrong thing can feel just as paralysing as the concern itself. It’s easy to keep putting the conversation off in the hope that the problem will resolve on its own.

The way you raise this with your child will shape how they respond and the approach matters more than the words. Below are some words of advice on how to have the best type of conversation with your child about their substance abuse.

  • Choose a moment when things are relatively calm and when you have enough time to talk without being rushed or interrupted.
  • Lead with what you’ve noticed rather than what you think they’ve done wrong. There’s a real difference between “I’ve noticed you seem really down lately and I’m worried about you” and “I know you’ve been taking drugs.”
  • If your child shuts down the first time, that doesn’t mean the conversation has been wasted. It means the door has been opened and they know you’re paying attention.
  • It may take more than one attempt before they’re ready to engage and during that waiting period, the most important thing is that they know you’re coming from a place of concern rather than punishment.

Why acting sooner matters

If you’re weighing up whether to act now or wait and see, the evidence points toward acting sooner. The adolescent brain is still developing and the areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control are among the last to fully mature.

When substances are introduced during this window, they can interfere with that development in ways that carry longer-term consequences.

The earlier a problem is identified and addressed, the less time substances have had to become embedded in your child’s coping patterns. Speaking with a specialist can help you get clarity on where things stand without committing to anything.

How Oasis Bradford can help

Oasis Bradford primarily supports adults through residential addiction treatment but we’re part of a wider network that includes services for younger people.

Banbury Lodge, which is part of UKAT, provides specialist treatment for those aged 16 and over in a dedicated setting designed around the needs of younger individuals.

Whether your child is old enough for residential treatment or needs to be signposted to age-appropriate services, speaking to our team can help you understand what’s available. Contact Oasis Bradford today.

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