Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington found that teens exposed to neighborhood violence are more than twice as likely to use cigarettes, alcohol or drugs. It’s a finding with real implications for how treatment professionals screen and support young patients.
What the Research Found
The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders and led by UT Arlington School of Social Work Professor Philip Baiden, drew on responses from 20,005 adolescents ages 12 to 18 using data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It’s one of the largest national datasets tracking teen health behaviors.
Roughly one in four U.S. adolescents reported exposure to violence in their neighborhood. That exposure was associated with significantly higher odds of using all five substances the researchers examined, which included cigarettes, alcohol, electronic vaping products, marijuana and prescription opioids.
The research aligns with Rehab.com’s 2025 Drug Use Statistics report, which found that more than 2 million college students in their teens and early 20s had used illegal drugs within the previous 30 days. The report also showed that more than 2 in 5 admit to binge drinking on campus.
These associations held even after accounting for mental health symptoms, physical activity, demographics and bullying involvement.
Trauma, the Brain and the Path to Substance Use
The researchers point to a neurological explanation for the connection. Co-author and UTA associate professor Dr. Catherine LaBrenz noted that prior research shows neighborhood violence can alter how the brain processes emotions.
Chronic fear and trauma, she explained, raise a teenager’s vulnerability to substance use. It’s a dynamic often described clinically as self-medication.
“Our study reminds us that violence is not a rare or isolated experience for many young people, it is a daily reality,” Dr. Baiden said. When teens lack other tools to manage stress, substances can become a way to numb or escape the emotional burden of that environment.
This underscores the value of trauma-informed care in outpatient addiction treatment, an approach that addresses the root psychological causes of substance use rather than the behavior alone.
Cyberbullying, Team Sports and Other Risk Factors
The study surfaced two additional findings worth noting for treatment providers and parents.
Cyberbullying was found to be more strongly linked to substance use than traditional in-person bullying. Dr. Baiden explained the distinction. Unlike playground bullying, cyberbullying follows teenagers everywhere, spreads without limit and can’t be easily escaped or erased. It makes it’s psychological toll more severe and sustained.
The research also identified a nuanced pattern around team sports. While athletic participation generally provides structure and social support, teens involved in team sports showed higher rates of alcohol use.
The researchers suggest that peer cultures within some sports may normalize drinking, even within otherwise positive environments.
How Widespread Is Teen Substance Use?
The findings arrive against a backdrop of significant national concern. According to the 2024 National Institute on Drug Abuse annual report, 58.3% of people ages 12 and older reported using tobacco, vaping products, alcohol or an illicit drug in the prior month.
Substance misuse continues to be a driver of preventable illness and death across the country, making early identification of risk factors a public health priority.
What This Means for Treatment Seekers
For parents or caregivers looking into rehab or mental health treatment for a teenager, this research reinforces the importance of asking providers about trauma screening and trauma-informed approaches.
Adolescents who grew up in high-violence neighborhoods may need treatment that goes beyond substance use and addresses chronic stress, fear and unresolved trauma.
Asking a facility whether they offer integrated mental health and substance use care, sometimes called dual diagnosis treatment, is a practical first step.
Exploring Treatment Options
If you’re researching addiction treatment or mental health care for a teenager, understanding the full picture, including environmental and trauma-related risk factors, can help you find the right level of care.
When evaluating rehab centers, consider whether they offer trauma-informed therapy, adolescent-specific programming, and integrated mental health services. Verifying that a facility is credentialed and uses evidence-based approaches is equally important.
Rehab.com’s directory includes thousands of verified treatment centers across the country, including programs designed specifically for adolescents.
Call
800-985-8516
( 
Sponsored Helpline )
to speak with a treatment advisor about finding the right fit.
