The connection between bullying and substance abuse
Bullying and substance abuse are both big concerns for parents, but the two have more in common than you might think. Research shows that children who abuse alcohol and drugs are also at a bigger risk for behavioral issues as teenagers. There’s a strong link between bullying and substance abuse, with scientists looking at middle schoolers and high schoolers. Surprisingly, both bullies and bully-victims have a higher chance of being involved with cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana.
In order to protect your child from bullying, becoming a bully, and substance abuse, it’s important to have close parent-child relationships at the core of your family. This means being able to talk openly and honestly. It also means having discipline in place without taking it to the extreme. These factors help kids determine what behaviors are acceptable. For example, a lack of discipline can make a child think they can do what they want (and perhaps become a bully). If a parent bullies a child, it teaches the child how to play the role of a victim. Some actions and behaviors are accepted in society, and all actions come with consequences (positive and negative). The framework of the family is how a child learns values including how to treat people, how people can and should treat them, and coping mechanisms.
Ultimately, substance abuse can be a coping mechanism. It may start out as a child “proving” to their peers that they’re cool. Alcohol and drugs have long been a tool to fit in. However, addiction can begin when a child begins to depend on the substance to change their moods and thoughts. It can be a form of escape. There is also a genetic component to addiction, and children who have parents who are addicts are more likely to become addicts themselves. This can be exacerbated if the child sees the parent(s) abusing drugs or alcohol.
A child’s peers are critical for both their personal and social growth. If a child spends a lot of time with bullies or kids who abuse drugs, they’re more likely to indulge in that behavior themselves. It’s the old adage of “Birds of a feather.” Children will naturally start to adapt or highlight the behaviors of their friends, whether it’s struggling to interact with other children or engaging in bullying behavior. Parents can make a difference by increasing their supervision and how involved they are in their child’s social life. Getting to know the parents of a child’s friends can re-direct potential issues before they grow out of hand.
In addition to parental involvement, there are other tools that can help children avoid substance abuse and becoming a bully. Enjoying school and doing well are well-known protective factors. There’s a link between not liking school/bad grades and bullying as well as substance abuse. However, this is easier said than done. Schools cannot customize the curriculum to every student. In order to get a child excited about school, they may need additional tutoring, placement in a different classroom, or other aids in order to fill in the gaps.
Both parents and teachers can watch out for signs of substance abuse and bullying. If a child seems aggressive at a young age, that can be an indicator of future behavioral problems. The formative years are a time to encourage a child’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth. These are protective measures that help them positively form who they are, and potentially help them avoid the pitfalls of substance abuse and bullying behavior.
A child’s environment plays a major role in helping to share who they become. Consider a child’s neighborhood and the school, as well as places they hang out. If there’s a high rate of crime, substance abuse, violence, or poverty, a child is more likely to fall into patterns and habits that align with their environment.
Both substance abuse and bullying can be used by children to safeguard themselves. A victim of bullying may also reach for drugs or alcohol to protect themselves either via the numbing effects of the drugs or by trying to align themselves with social groups who they see as less likely to be bullies. While there are certainly factors that suggest a young person may be more prone to being a bully or using drugs and alcohol, it can happen to any child. Awareness, involvement, and creating a supportive environment are at the heart of helping a child avoid these pitfalls.
Guest post by Trevor McDonald