Snapshot of drugs.
Early introduction into alcohol and substance usage (ASU) in adolescence has been directly linked to development of ill mental health in adolescents.
This is according to a recent study by researchers from the University of Nairobi who link this early matriculation into ASU as a cause for development of grave health and social issues amongst adolescents during their formative years followed by continued and problematic use in adulthood.
The study titled; Adolescents’ awareness of and attitudes towards alcohol and substance use in Kenya, explored the level of understanding of ASU in their lives and the impact it had on them socially and health-wise. The study sampled 114 young adults from three informal settlements in Nairobi and Kiambu counties aged between 15-19 years.
According to the study, adolescents can pivot rapidly in either negative or positive directions during the rapid growth process, as they try to find a sense of personal autonomy, developing their own identities and finding a sense of belonging in their peer groups. This growth period provides a critical window for experimentation with risky behaviors like alcohol and substance use (ASU), casual sex, and violence.
This in turn trickles down to development of several health issues ranging from physical and mental ill-health, accidents, physical and sexual assault, and unplanned pregnancies and poor academic achievement.
Upon entry into institutions of higher learning like university, the study found out that one in every four first-year students has experimented with alcohol and substance abuse. This development stage lays the foundation for future patterns in substance use.
Often, adolescents struggling with mental health issues might turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with the challenges they face during this malleable development period. Substances can temporarily numb complex emotions like anxiety, depression, sadness or stress.
This however, quickly becomes a slippery slope where over time substance use can worsen existing mental health problems or even trigger new ones. According to World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated one in every four adolescents has experienced a mental disorder in a year with 14% being undiagnosed cases.
According to this study, mental health issues and alcohol and drug use are intertwined in adolescents with prevalent usage leading to development of mental health disorders like self- harm, depression and suicidal tendencies that can continue even in adulthood.
The study found out that prevalent alcohol and substance use in adolescents in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa was high during the pandemic where school disruptions and isolation disrupted the adolescents’ lives and heavily influenced their leaning into use.
This in turn led to magnification of pre-existing mental health issues which in turn turned the adolescents into alcohol and substance use to cope thereby creating a cycle that is hard to break.
Consequently, the use of alcohol and drugs increase the risk of developing mental health disorders. Substances can disrupt the developing brain, making adolescents more vulnerable to conditions like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Ignorance fueled prevalent substance use among the adolescents, whereby harmful myths were being peddled, for example, bhang and miraa were considered “natural” and flavored shisha being perceived as a harmless leisure activity and therefore less harmful. Additionally, the social and environmental factors associated with substance use, such as peer pressure and exposure to trauma, can also contribute to developing of mental health issues.
It was concluded that it is crucial to address both substance use and mental health concerns simultaneously in adolescents. Early intervention, therapy, and support from trusted adults can make a significant difference in helping young people navigate these challenges
According to this study failure to recognize alcohol and substance use and poor mental health during childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood makes this age group susceptible to immediate and long-term psychological ill-health and negatively impacts overall growth and development.
Early engagement with these young people is crucial for fostering mental health literacy. This proactive approach serves as a preventative and promotive intervention, equipping young individuals with essential knowledge and skills in recognizing factors that promote early ASU and ways to combat them.
The sampled youth suggested future interventions like building relationships with trusted adults and other forms of community support like seminars to combat this problem.
The study also suggested addressing misinformation, leveraging community support, and utilizing digital tools like social media posts as effective ways to reduce substance use risks and improve mental health outcomes for youth in Kenya.
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