Young people using substances

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This page was updated on 11 February 2026. To view changes, please see page updates

Adolescence is a time of experimentation, curiosity and exploring of identity. For some young people, substance use is seen as a solution rather than a problem. The reasons some young people may smoke, vape, drink or use drugs include:

boredom or curiosity
because it feels good and is fun
to rebel or to take risks
as pain relief (emotionally and physically)
because their parents drink or use
for peer and social acceptance
to escape or deal with uncomfortable feelings.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the most used substances by young people in order of preference are:

analgesics (painkillers such as Panadol and Nurofen)
sedatives (such as sleeping tablets and Valium)
alcohol
cannabis
amphetamine type substances (speed, methamphetamine and ice)
opiates (heroin, morphine and methadone)
inhalants (glue and paint).

There is no safe level of alcohol or drug use for young people. Alcohol is the most commonly used and most damaging drug among young people.

The earlier a young person starts drinking, the greater their risk of alcohol-related problems in early adulthood and beyond. Young people who start drinking before they are 15 years old are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who don’t start drinking until they are 21.

At extreme levels, alcohol can cause unconsciousness or abnormal breathing, and alcohol poisoning because of binge drinking can cause death.

Vaping and smoking are also harmful activities engaged in by many young people. Some vapes and all cigarettes contain nicotine which is a toxic substance linked to serious health conditions. Further, chemicals contained in vaping devices and cigarettes often resemble those found in paint, cleaning and disinfectant products. Early exposure to nicotine as a teenager can impact brain and learning development and lead to addiction.

The harmful effects of vapes and cigarettes include:

increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung disease and diabetes
breathing and chronic respiratory problems
reduced life expectancy and quality of life
dental and fertility problems
hearing and vision loss
increased risk of illness and infections.

Tip

For further information on the impacts of smoking and vaping and strategies for reducing use, refer to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and Quit websites.

Engaging with young people using substances

When talking to a young person about their problematic substance use, remember to be strengths-based and safety-oriented. Young people are vulnerable and at risk of harm. Avoid labels, be aware of stigmatising language, and do not blame and shame.
Talk with young people about what is risky about the way they smoke, vape, drink or use, and how they can keep safe or control their use. Risks to talk about include:

overdosing
sharing needles
drinking or using alone
blackouts
possible short and long-term health implications
becoming violent or being a victim of violence
unsafe sex
polydrug use (using more than one type of drug)
accidents or injuries
driving while intoxicated
suicide and self-harm
misuse of prescribed medication.

Young people may be frightened, worried about your role, and what may happen if they talk about their alcohol and other drugs use. Always be prepared that a young person may:

be defensive about their alcohol and other drugs use
not want to talk to you
be abrupt, aggressive or hostile towards you
be ashamed, embarrassed and worried.

Take time to get to know the young person and build a relationship with them so that you can learn about their strengths, talents and interests as well as the difficult things that are impacting on their lives.

Conversations with young people need to strike a balance. Be clear about the harms of substance use and why you would like to see them stop using, while also acknowledging how hard this might be for them. Help them decide the best way to be safe and minimise harm when they drink alcohol or take drugs. Here are some ideas for this type of conversation.

Short question	Conversation
What kind of alcohol or other drugs do you use?	I’m wondering or I’m curious about: When you go out to have a good time with friends, what are you likely to smoke, drink or use? How do you decide what you will take? How easy is it to get? Have there been times where it’s hard to get or you can’t get it? What did you do? What do others you are with do? Do you drink or use different things at different times? Have there been times you have mixed alcohol or drugs in one session?
What are the people, places, feelings or things that make you smoke, drink or use?	I’m really interested to learn about the times that would make you want to smoke, drink or use. People Do you have certain people you smoke, drink or use with? How do you decide who? Would you say you plan to smoke, drink or use or it just comes up, or something else? Places What places would make you want to smoke, drink or use or make it easier for you to? Feelings and emotions Have there been times you have drunk alcohol or used drugs to cope with tough stuff you are going through or have been through When you drink or use, what kind of feeling are you hoping for or what do you hope happens?
When has it become a problem or made you unsafe?	Sometimes when people drink or use drugs they are taken advantage of or find themselves in unsafe situations. Can you relate to that? I’m wondering if this has ever happened to you, or have you seen it happen to someone or heard about it? I’m curious what your thoughts are on keeping safe. Tell me about times when you may have felt unsafe or worried when drinking or using. I am curious to know if you have ever felt worried but not able to speak up at the time. Have you ever woken up, come down and regretted something that has happened? On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being completely unsafe and 10 being completely safe, how safe do you generally feel when you drink or use? Tell me more about that. On a scale of 0 to 10, what is the least safe you have ever felt when drinking or using? Why? Has anyone ever talked with you before about your safety or things to think about or plan for?
What are the good and not so good things about it?	I’m really interested to know more about the things you like about smoking, drinking or using. Good things What are the good things about using? What do you like about the effects? What would you miss if you weren’t using? Not so good things What are the less good things about using? What are the things you wouldn’t miss if you stopped using? Do you have any concerns about your substance use? Do these things worry you? What worries you the most? If you could wake up tomorrow and things about your alcohol or drug use could be better, what would be different? What would others notice was different? How would you feel inside? How would you be spending your time? Developing a safety plan with young people and finding out about their use.
Let's develop a safety plan about your use.	Things that may make them unsafe when using alcohol and other drugs. Consider: how much they drink or use drugs how often the way they take drugs who they take drugs with. What things make it risky for them: how they purchase their alcohol and other drugs where they use who they use with. Things that can be done right now to make them feel safer or reduce the risks (harm minimisation): • Who are safe people they can call on?
Connecting young people to safe adults.	Who can be a part of their safety plan to keep safe? Who will be available to talk about alcohol and other drugs use and keeping safe and healthy? Who can check in with the young person or be there if they need them?

Practice prompt

Find resources on how to discuss substance use with young people, Drug and Alcohol Education Resources for Parents - Positive Choices.

Provide a young person with a Young people in A.A. brochure.

Assessing risk and case planning for young people using substances

Adolescence is a dynamic period of maturation and commonly includes experimentation and risk taking and this may include with alcohol and other substances. The consequences of using substances can have significant impact on the young person due to this also being a critical period for brain development and lead to impaired learning and memory issues for the rest of their life (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre).

Assessing risk, planning for safety and case planning for ongoing safety and wellbeing of a young person who uses alcohol or substances should focus on building of resilience and reducing risk factors to work towards abstinence, a support direction aligned to the pillar of harm reduction of the harm minimisation strategy (Australian Government, Department of Health (a) and (b)).

Note

Work towards reducing a young person’s risk taking behaviours and create safer settings surrounding drug and alcohol usage.

Access evidenced-based alcohol and other drug education and practical prompts for engagement from the Federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s online portal Positive Choices. This portal provides:

guidance pitched towards parents
guidance pitched towards young people (students)
CALD resources
culturally safe resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Risk factor	Further explanation
The young person has diagnosed or apparent needs which increase their vulnerability such as developmental delays, physical or intellectual disability and medical concern.	A child with a disability or increased vulnerability may: place themselves in risky situations that could lead to them being exploited or vulnerable to harm be unable to protect themselves be unable to communicate their concerns or disclose harm have impaired decision-making or ability to recognise or respond to abusive situations.
High risk behaviours can be related to any harm type and the behaviour may be an attempt to cope with the impacts of harm (including cumulative harm) or a way of expressing distress or unmet needs.	High risk behaviours may include (but are not limited to): non-suicidal self-injury (for example cutting or burning) suicidal threats or behaviours harmful sexual behaviours crime. The vulnerability of a young person who is engaging in high-risk behaviour is heightened. Their capacity to protect themselves should not be over-estimated or assessed on their age or stage of development alone, but in the context of their mental and emotional functioning, in addition to the environment that they find themselves in.
A child who is also at increased risk of mental health issues.	This may include but is not limited to children: who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) have experienced abuse reside in care homelessness or risk of homelessness identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Particular attention and support should be given to children and young people who identify as transexual as they are at a greater risk of suicidal attempts (11 times more likely than children who do not identify as gender diverse (National LGBQIA+ Health Education)).
Youth justice involvement or offending behaviour	Young people who have experienced abuse or neglect are at increased risk of offending, particularly when the abuse or neglect begins or continues into adolescence. Other factors that may lead to offending behaviour include homelessness, anti-social or violent tendencies, developmental delays, reduced resilience or poor impulse control. Children may engage in offending behaviour because of peer or social influences, developmentally related to changing influence of social and peers or to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance within a peer group. Children engaging in offending behaviour, in particular children aged 12 and under, may have needs that are neglected or not adequately met by their parent that could otherwise deter or redirect them from the offending.

Discuss goals with a young person

Help the young person set goals about their alcohol or other drugs use to identify what they are committed to achieve. This may include:

working towards stopping or reducing their substance use
reducing the harm associated with their substance use
longer-term behaviour changes to reduce their vulnerability such as mental health support counselling and specialist alcohol and other drugs therapy
improving their wellbeing and resilience
increasing the choices and options they have in their lives
increasing their own sense of happiness.

Some example ways a young person may express their goals to you:

I want to cut down.
I need to stop wasting all my money on vaping and alcohol.
My life is going off track because of my alcohol and drug use. I need some help.
Every time I have a fight with (my parents, friends, at work) I just spin out of control.
My (friends, parents, carers) have said that I should go and see someone about my alcohol and drug use.
Unless I see someone, I’m going to get into big trouble with my (parents, girlfriend, boyfriend, teachers, school, co-worker, boss).
I want to keep using alcohol and drugs but I also want to make sure it doesn’t turn into a problem.
I want to be happier. I don’t want to feel like this.

Tip

To support these discussions, Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice have a range of useful tools such as:

My Goals to assist them in identifying their goals related to their substance use
My Use Diary to assist them to monitor their substance use.

Safety and support network – high intensity responses

As soon as it becomes clear that a young person is using substances and their substance use is putting them at risk, arrange a meeting with their safety and support network to discuss and implement appropriate support measures, in line with the practice guide Safety and support network and high intensity responses.

High intensity responses are a means of responding to worries about the safety and well-being of a child or young person when risk is high or issues are very complicated, in a way that:

holds the child, young person or family at the centre of our work, despite systemic and other pressures that can demand attention
helps provide a holding environment when a child or young person is unable to contain themselves, in a way that is respectful while aiming to protect
shares responsibility with partner agencies and family members, enabling collective responses, as a united team, to the situations of high risk
provides for interagency processes and joined-up work that avoid the conflict or confusion that can arise from complexity.

A high intensity response may be required when a family, child or young person requires an immediate response (often 24/7) to acute and challenging situations, for their safety and wellbeing to be secure. These situations are likely to be recurrent (that is, not a one-off crisis):

The complexity of the issues are such that new members (family, friends or other professionals and service providers), may need to join the safety and support network to respond to and achieve current safety and wellbeing - existing members know of the increased risk or complexity and understand that the membership may change to meet the needs.
There is a high-level complication or complexity, for example, by the multiple number of serious issues or the interplay between these issues.

Safety and support networks bring together a range of people committed to taking actions to increase and ensure safety. During periods of crisis, increased risk or complexity, safety and support network members may engage a time-limited high intensity response.

This high intensity response mobilises existing safety and support network members and, when required, co-opts others to develop and action an intensive and highly visible safety and support plan.

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Published on: 11 February 2026

Last reviewed: 11 February 2026

Date: 11 February 2026
Alcohol and Other Drugs practice kit re-launch
Date: 11 February 2026
Alcohol and Other Drugs practice kit re-launch
Date: 11 February 2026
Alcohol and Other Drugs practice kit re-launch