Findings from a new study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2024) found that teens report seeking relief from stress, anxiety, and depression as top reasons for substance use.
The authors conclude that reducing stress and promoting mental health might lessen motivations for substance use.
One approach to expanding youth substance use prevention to address mental health more broadly is to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors that reduce youth stress, anxiety, and depression, including regular physical activity, eating healthy breakfasts and other nutritious foods, and getting adequate sleep.
Integrating substance use prevention with healthy behavior promotion is a positive and cost-effective strategy for enhancing both physical and mental wellbeing of youth and adults.
Read the new study report: