Teenagers are turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The most common reason that teens said they turned to drugs and alcohol was to feel mellow or calm. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents cited this reason for using substances.
Teenagers are turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The most common reason that teens said they turned to drugs and alcohol was to feel mellow or calm. Nearly three-quarters of the respondents cited this reason for using substances. Other top reasons were related to methods for coping with stress such as stopping worrying about a problem or forgetting bad memories, helping with depression or anxiety, having fun, experimentation, sleeping better and falling asleep.
Teenagers with suspected substance use problems say they turn to drugs because of a crushing need to relax and escape worries.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) say they used drugs to feel mellow, calm or relaxed. Forty-four percent used drugs as sleep aides. The same percentage cited drug use as a way to stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories. And 40% said they used to cope with depression or anxiety.
The majority (84%) of teens surveyed used marijuana, which comes amid growing evidence linking cannabis use and psychotic disorders.
Accuracy
<half> (49%) said they drank alcohol
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it presents the findings of a study as if they are definitive and representative of all teenagers with substance use problems when in fact the sample was limited to those who had already been flagged for treatment. Secondly, it uses quotes from experts without disclosing their sources or affiliations which could lead readers to believe that these opinions are objective and unbiased when they may not be. Thirdly, the article presents a one-sided view of substance use among teenagers by focusing solely on the negative aspects such as stress relief and coping mechanisms for mental health issues without providing any context or balance.
The new findings follow reports of rising anxiety and depression among the nation's youth, including unprecedented levels of hopelessness. Because those conditions are often linked to substance use in adolescence, said Sarah Connolly, lead author of the new report and an epidemic intelligence service officer within the CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention,
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a source for their information. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when they describe the rising anxiety and depression among young people, including unprecedented levels of hopelessness, which could be seen as fear-mongering. Additionally, there are several examples of dichotomous depictions throughout the article. For example, when discussing why teenagers might use drugs to cope with stress or anxiety, it is presented as a binary choice between feeling mellow and calm or stopping worrying about a problem or forgetting bad memories.
The new findings follow reports of rising anxiety and depression among the nation’s youth
Because those conditions are often linked to substance use in adolescence
Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they used drugs, such as marijuana, as sleep aides. The same percentage cited drug use as a way to stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories.
And 40% said they used to cope with depression or anxiety.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports that teenagers with suspected substance use problems turn to drugs because of a crushing need to relax and escape worries. The author also mentions the rising anxiety and depression among youth in general, which is linked to substance use in adolescence. This suggests that there may be an underlying assumption or bias towards drug use as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety.
Teenagers with suspected substance use problems turn to drugs because of a crushing need to relax and escape worries.
Teens who were being assessed for treatment for substance use disorder identified their motivations for using drugs and alcohol. About 9,500 responses were collected between 2014 and 2022.
The most common reason that teens said they turned to drugs and alcohol was to feel mellow, calm or relaxed, with nearly three-quarters citing this reason. Many other top reasons were related to methods to cope with stress.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that stress directly causes teens to use drugs and alcohol when it only mentions it as a reason for their substance use. Secondly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that 'nearly three-quarters' of teens cite feeling mellow or calm as a reason for using substances which is not accurate. Thirdly, the article implies that all teenagers who use drugs and alcohol do so to cope with stress when in reality many other reasons are mentioned such as having fun or experimenting. Fourthly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning negative impacts of substance use on mental health without providing any evidence for positive effects.
The title implies that stress directly causes teens to use drugs and alcohol when it only mentions it as a reason for their substance use.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the CDC report without providing any evidence or context for their claims. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when they describe the challenges that young people face as 'unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate' and say that the effect of these challenges on their mental health is 'devastating'. The author also uses a dichotomous depiction by stating that substance use often begins in adolescence, which can put children at risk for fatal overdose and substance use disorders in adulthood. However, they do not provide any evidence to support this claim.
The CDC report warns that teens who were being assessed for treatment for substance use disorder were asked to identify their motivations for using drugs and alcohol.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'substance use disorders' which implies that substance use is a disease rather than a choice made by individuals. This reinforces the idea that addiction is not something people can control on their own and puts blame solely on external factors such as mental health issues or environmental stressors.
Many other top reasons were related to methods to cope with stress
Substance use often begins in adolescence, which can put children at risk for fatal overdose and substance use disorders in adulthood
The most common reason that teens said they turned to drugs and alcohol was to feel mellow, calm or relaxed
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the relationship between stress and substance use disorder in teenagers. The author is a reporter for CNN who has written articles on mental health topics before.
.40% said they use substances to help with depression or anxiety.
.44% said they use substances to stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories.
.50 of teens also said they use substances to have fun or experiment, and more than two in five (.42%) said they use substances to sleep better or fall asleep
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of substance use disorder in teenagers. The article mentions that more than two in five teens (42%) said they use substances to sleep better or fall asleep.
.40% said they use substances to help with depression or anxiety.
.50 of teens also said they use substances to have fun or experiment, and more than two in five . (.42%) said they use substances to sleep better or fall asleep
Reducing stress and promoting mental health among adolescents might lessen motivations for substance use.
Educating adolescents on harm reduction practices could prevent fatal overdoses.
Accuracy
Teenagers with suspected substance use problems say they turn to drugs because of a crushing need to relax and escape worries.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) say they used drugs to feel mellow, calm or relaxed. Forty-four percent used drugs as sleep aides. The same percentage cited drug use as a way to stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories. And 40% said they used to cope with depression or anxiety.
The majority (84%) of teens surveyed used marijuana, which comes amid growing evidence linking cannabis use and psychotic disorders.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that substance use often begins during adolescence without providing any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that among adolescents being assessed for SUD treatment, most reported using substances with friends; however, approximately one half of respondents who reported past-day prescription drug misuse reported using alone. This contradicts the previous statement and suggests that some adolescents may be more likely to use drugs alone than others. Thirdly, the author states that reducing stress and promoting mental health among adolescents might lessen motivations for substance use without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The article claims that substance use often begins during adolescence but provides no evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that substance use often begins during adolescence without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Secondly, the author commits a hasty generalization when they state that most reported using substances with friends without considering other factors such as age or socioeconomic status. Thirdly, the author uses an informal fallacy by stating that approximately one half of respondents who reported past-day prescription drug misuse reported using alone without providing any evidence to support this claim.
The article contains several fallacies.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of bias in the form of language that dehumanizes and demonizes drug use. The author uses phrases such as 'substance use disorder treatment' which implies a moral judgment on those who seek help for their addiction. Additionally, the phrase 'most reported using substances with friends; however, approximately one half of respondents who reported past-30 day prescription drug misuse reported using alone.' suggests that those who use drugs alone are somehow more dangerous or irresponsible than those who use them with others.
most reported using substances with friends; however, approximately one half of respondents who reported past-30 day prescription drug misuse reported using alone.
substance use disorder treatment
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the characteristics of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents. The authors have financial ties to a company that produces products related to substance use disorder treatment.
In 2021 and 2022, 7% of adolescents reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks and 5% reported experiencing symptoms of depression.
Deaths due to drug overdose among adolescents more than doubled from 2018 (253 deaths) to 2022 (746 deaths). The largest increases in these deaths were among Hispanic and Black adolescents.
Accuracy
In 2011, only 28% of adolescents reported feelings of sadness and hopelessness which can be indicative of depressive disorder.
Teenagers with suspected substance use problems say they turn to drugs because of a crushing need to relax and escape worries. Nearly three-quarters (73%) say they used drugs to feel mellow, calm or relaxed.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that 'many adolescents have reported adverse experiences', but they do not provide any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author states that youth drug overdose deaths have spiked and gun violence has increased without providing any data or statistics to back up these claims. Thirdly, the article uses a survey questionnaire completed by parents or guardians on behalf of adolescents in their household which does not provide an accurate representation of adolescent mental health. The author also fails to disclose sources used in the article.
The sentence 'many adolescents have reported adverse experiences' is deceptive because no evidence is provided to support this claim.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by citing a National State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health issued in 2021 and advisories from the U.S. Surgeon General in 2021 and 2023 without providing any evidence or context for these claims. Secondly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that many adolescents have reported adverse experiences, youth drug overdose deaths have spiked, and gun violence has increased. This statement is not supported by any data or statistics provided in the article. Thirdly, the author uses a dichotomous depiction of mental health issues among adolescents as either being indicative of depressive disorder or not. The author does not provide any evidence to support this claim and it oversimplifies complex mental health issues. Fourthly, the author uses an appeal to authority by citing data from the Teen National Health Interview Survey (NHIS-Teen) without providing any context for how reliable or valid this data is. Fifthly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that many children and teenagers are not able to get the mental health services they need. This statement is not supported by any data or statistics provided in the article.
The National State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health was issued in 2021, followed by advisories from the U.S. Surgeon General in 2021 and 2023.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable by stating that the National State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health was issued due to growing mental health concerns among adolescents. Additionally, the author mentions a recent KFF poll which found that 55% of the public see youth mental health issues as a crisis in the U.S., implying that this is an unusual or extreme viewpoint.
The National State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health was issued due to growing mental health concerns among adolescents.
