Anxiety looks different depending on the person. Some people smile through the stress, others talk openly about their worries, and still others keep their concerns locked up tight, letting the tension build. But you can only stuff that stress down for so long before you need help. Unfortunately, many young adults seek that help in the form of substances - alcohol, pot, or pills - to numb the discomfort.
This is an all-too-common pattern for young adults struggling with anxiety, especially those who don’t have the coping skills to manage it in a healthy way. But how do you know if it’s happening? And what can you do about it?
What Does Anxiety Have to Do with Addiction?
Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring disorder in the treatment field. Substance abuse and anxiety are like two old friends who bring out the worst in each other. Research shows that young adults with anxiety disorders are at a much higher risk of developing substance use disorders. Why? Because getting high or drunk offers a temporary escape. For someone with anxiety, drugs or alcohol can seem like a quick fix.
Alcohol takes the edge off social anxiety. Marijuana helps them “relax.” Prescription pills feel like a way to “focus” or calm racing thoughts. Nicotine or vaping provides momentary relief from nervous energy. But the relief is temporary, and the long-term effects? Not so great. Substances can actually make anxiety worse, reinforcing a cycle of dependence that’s tough to break without help.
Signs Your Child Might Be Self-Medicating Anxiety
They Seem More Withdrawn or Secretive
Used to your kid being an open book and easy to talk but now you can’t get a word out of them? Do they get defensive when you ask basic questions about their day or life? This could be a sign of hiding substance abuse or struggling with feeling they don’t know how to verbalize.
Sudden Mood Swings or Irritability
Anxiety alone can cause mood swings, but when substances enter the mix, emotions can become even more erratic. If they’re happy one minute and agitated the next—especially if it happens around access (or lack of access) to substances—it might be a sign of self-medicating.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Anxious minds don’t rest easily. If your child is suddenly staying up all night or sleeping more than usual, pay attention. Stimulants (like Adderall or cocaine) can cause insomnia, while depressants (like alcohol or marijuana) can lead to excessive sleepiness.
Physical Symptoms with No Clear Cause
Anxiety can manifest itself in physical symptoms but more often the following are signs of self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Stomach issues (nausea, loss of appetite, digestive problems), frequent headaches, bloodshot eyes, and dilated pupils.
Increased Risk-Taking Behavior
Caught your kid skipping school, lying about where they’re going or who they’re with, or driving while impaired? These are classic signs of reckless behavior and could be a sign that their anxiety is pushing them towards self-destructive coping mechanisms.
Why Self-Medication Fails (And Makes Things Worse)
Drugs and alcohol offer a temporary respite from the overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Unfortunately, with time, substance abuse only makes the anxiety worse and deepens the cycle of addiction.
Increased tolerance means what worked yesterday doesn’t work as well today, so they use more. Once the substance wears off, the brain is left more anxious than before, worsening the anxiety. The cycle repeats until the body and mind need the substance to function, leading to dependence and addiction.
For young adults who already struggle with anxiety, this pattern can quickly turn into a full-blown dual diagnosis: an anxiety disorder and a substance use disorder, both feeding off each other.
Healing Is Possible
If your child is using substances to cope with anxiety, it’s not a sign that they’re weak or broken. It’s a sign that they need help—and that help is out there.
The key is catching it early, offering support, and guiding them toward healthy ways to manage anxiety before substance abuse takes over. If you’re feeling lost in how to help, reach out to Momentum Recovery’s dual-diagnosis treatment program today.
With the right support, they can learn to manage anxiety without substances—and step into a future that feels a lot less overwhelming.