“Numb Is Easier”: Why Teens Use Substances to Escape, Not Rebel
We often ask, “Why would a smart, talented kid risk everything to get high?” The answer isn’t rebellion.
It’s relief.
For many teens, using drugs, nicotine, or alcohol isn’t about chasing a high—it’s about escaping a low. It’s not about being reckless. It’s about surviving.
Let’s look beyond the surface and into the deeper truth that so many young people are living: numb is easier.
Why Teens Turn to Substances: It’s Not What You Think
Pop culture paints substance use as a rite of passage. Peer pressure. Party culture. But for millions of teens, the real driver is internal, not external:
Emotional Pain – From childhood trauma to daily anxiety, many teens are overwhelmed by feelings they don’t know how to process.
Unrealistic Expectations – “Perfect” grades. College prep. Social media standards. They’re exhausted and silently burning out.
Disconnection – Families are busy. Friendships feel fragile. In a hyperconnected world, many teens feel unseen and alone.
Mental Health Struggles – Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are often undiagnosed or brushed off, leaving teens to self-soothe however they can.
When you're 16 and spiraling, substances can feel like control. Or at least a pause button.
What Teens Say (That Adults Don’t Always Hear)
“I didn’t want to be high. I just didn’t want to feel like me.” — 17-year-old, after leaving treatment for vaping and Xanax use
“It’s not about having fun. It’s about not feeling everything all at once.” — 15-year-old girl, alcohol misuse
“At least when I was high, my brain shut up.” — 18-year-old male, cannabis and nicotine dependence
These aren’t outliers. These are the quiet truths behind a generation in crisis.
The Danger of Numbing Out
The short-term escape comes at a high long-term cost:
Increased Risk of Addiction – The younger the brain, the more vulnerable it is to dependency.
Unaddressed Trauma – Using substances delays or disguises the pain, but doesn’t heal it.
Impaired Brain Development – THC, nicotine, and alcohol interfere with memory, focus, and emotional regulation.
Isolation – What begins as a coping tool can become a wall, cutting teens off from help, hope, and connection.
The irony is heartbreaking: what starts as survival ends up harming the very self they’re trying to protect.
What Parents and Trusted Adults Can Do
So, how do we help? Not by punishing the behavior, but by understanding the why beneath it.
Here’s where to start:
1. Name It Before They Do
Open the door by talking about stress, anxiety, and pressure before substance use enters the conversation. Let them know it’s okay to not be okay—and that coping can look like more than numbing.
“A lot of teens feel anxious or overwhelmed. If that’s ever you, I’m always here—and we don’t have to fix it right away. We just talk.”
2. Create Safety, Not Shame
Substance conversations should be courageous, not confrontational. Ask questions like:
“What do people your age do when they feel anxious or numb?”
“What do you hear about weed/vaping at school? What’s your take?”
“Is there anything you wish adults understood better?”
3. Teach Healthy Numbing
Help them build a personal “pause” toolkit. Coping strategies could include:
Physical outlets like walking, dancing, lifting
Creative expression—art, music, journaling
Digital detox breaks from social media
Meditation or breathing apps
Talking to a therapist or safe adult. The goal isn’t to never feel bad—it’s to not stay stuck in it.
4. Model Vulnerability
Teens mirror what they see. Share your own struggles (appropriately), name your emotions, and normalize reaching out for help.
One Real Conversation Can Change Everything
Many teens say the moment they finally opened up wasn’t a dramatic intervention—it was a quiet night at the kitchen table. A car ride. A walk with a parent who just listened.
Let’s stop asking, “Why are kids making bad choices?” and instead ask, “What are they trying so hard not to feel?”
Because when we see the pain, not just the pattern, prevention becomes connection.
For more information, help, and resources, please visit www.steeredstraight.org or call (856) 691-6676
Our mission is to steer youth straight toward making sound, rational decisions through a learning experience that provides a message of reality to help them make positive, informed choices.
