Substances as Coping
What does it mean to use substances as a coping strategy?
Using alcohol, drugs, or other substances to try to manage stress, emotions, trauma, or mental health symptoms instead of addressing the underlying problem.
Difference between suicidal thoughts and attempts?
Suicidal thoughts involve thinking about wanting to die or not exist, while an attempt involves taking action to try to end one’s life.
What is foster care?
A temporary living arrangement where children live with caregivers who are not their biological parents when it is unsafe to stay at home.
What is depression?
A mental health condition involving persistent sadness, loss of interest, low energy, and difficulty functioning that lasts weeks or longer.
What is a coping skill?
A tool or strategy used to manage stress, emotions, or difficult situations.
Who is more likely to use substances to cope?
Teens and adults experiencing trauma, chronic stress, mental health challenges, peer pressure, or lack of healthy coping skills or support.
Who is most affected?
People of all ages, but rates are higher among teens and young adults, especially those experiencing depression, trauma, or isolation.
Who is most likely to experience this?
Children whose families are dealing with abuse, neglect, substance use, mental illness, or severe instability.
Who can experience depression?
Anyone—children, teens, adults—regardless of background, gender, or life circumstances.
Common reactions to overwhelming stress?
Withdrawal, anger, sadness, numbness, risk-taking, or acting out.
How common is using substances to cope for teens and adults?
Teens: About 20–30% report using alcohol or drugs at least sometimes to cope with stress or emotions.
Adults: About 30–40% report using substances to manage stress, mental health symptoms, or emotional pain.
How common are suicidal thoughts among teens and adults?
Teens: About 1 in 5 teens (20%) report seriously considering suicide at some point.
Adults: About 4–5% of adults each year, and around 1 in 6 adults report having suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime.
How common is foster care?
About 400,000 children are in foster care in the U.S. at any given time.
How common is depression in teens and adults?
About 15–20% of teens experience a major depressive episode. About 20–25% of adults experience depression at some point in their lifetime.
Trusted helpers?
Caregivers, teachers, counselors, social workers, coaches, or crisis hotline workers.
Why might someone turn to substances?
Substances can temporarily numb emotional pain, reduce anxiety, or help someone escape difficult thoughts or memories.
Why do suicidal thoughts develop?
They can develop from feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, trapped, depressed, or believing they are a burden to others.
Why are children removed from their homes?
To protect their safety due to neglect, abuse, unsafe living conditions, or caregiver inability to provide care.
Risk factors for depression?
Trauma, chronic stress, family history, social isolation, foster care involvement, bullying, or major life changes.
Healthy coping strategies?
Talking to someone, movement, journaling, breathing exercises, creative outlets, therapy.
Common reactions after substance use wears off?
Increased sadness, anxiety, guilt, shame, irritability, or needing more of the substance to feel the same effect.
Common reactions & what helps?
When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, they may withdraw, hide their feelings, feel hopeless, act differently, or believe they are a burden.
When someone finds out a loved one is suicidal or has made an attempt, common reactions can include shock, fear, guilt, anger, confusion, sadness, helplessness, or constantly worrying about the person’s safety.
What helps in both situations includes connection, honest conversations, professional support (therapy, medical care), crisis resources, reducing isolation, and reminding everyone involved that they are not alone and it is okay to ask for help.
Effects of placement changes?
Feelings of loss, grief, instability, attachment difficulties, anxiety, anger, or difficulty trusting adults.
Common coping responses?
Some use healthy strategies (talking, therapy), while others may withdraw, use substances, or self-isolate.
Signs someone may need immediate help?
Talking about wanting to die, drastic behavior changes, giving away belongings, or feeling hopeless.