Media Influence of Drugs and Alcohol on Teens & Adolescents
- Oct 7, 2020
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 16
There’s no doubt that educational programs and parental guidance play a huge role in teaching teens and adolescents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. However, it's also true that media portrayals often send a completely different, and sometimes dangerous, message. Understanding this disconnect is key to helping young people navigate the conflicting information they encounter every day.
How does media portray drug and alcohol use to teens?
Media, including TV shows, movies, and music, often normalizes drug and alcohol use by presenting it through a comedic lens or as a natural part of a character's life. This can minimize the negative consequences and even tie substance use to positive traits like masculinity or social success, creating a false sense of security.
Want to know more about how media's influence on teens can lead to substance abuse? Keep reading to dive deeper into the specific examples and potential dangers of these portrayals.
How Does Media Influence the Portrayal of Drugs and Alcohol to Teens?
There is no shortage of programs designed to help teens or adolescents understand the effects, and potential life-long dangers, that come with the usage of drugs or alcohol. However, these programs aren’t the only source of information available, and there are a number of other different means of exposure that teens and adolescents have while their brains are still in developmental phases.
The media influence on teens and adolescents plays a significant role here, as drugs and alcohol are common portrayals that a teen or adolescent may experience. There are a number of dangers that come with having this secondary source. While educational programs like D.A.R.E. and parental guidance against drugs are helpful in describing the dangers, drugs and alcohol in the media can seem to give off the opposite message.
Depending on the medium used, alcohol and drugs can no longer feel like they are a danger, and they may even be portrayed as something that is fun, depending on the television show being watched, the song being heard, or the video game being played. These portrayals can put teens and adolescents at risk..
Sanitizing the Portrayal
One of the biggest problems with alcohol or drugs in media when it comes to television is that the portrayal is often done through a comedic lens, or otherwise doesn’t focus on the negative aspects of one’s alcohol or drug usage.
Many television shows are designed to be easily digestible, and thus don’t delve into the deep and nuanced world of addiction and the physical and emotional destruction that comes with it. When issues of a character’s alcohol or drug usage do appear in these kinds of media, it is often portrayed in a very binary point of view: that is, either someone is suffering from a debilitating addiction or they are healthy, with no in-between. Many of the characters and settings present in television programs also create a positive connection between a character and their usage of alcohol, even if subtly.
In shows like How I Met Your Mother, the cast is often seen at the bar every day, and while no major point is made about the possible problematic usage of alcohol throughout the show, the implication is that attending the bar on a daily basis is then normalized as a non-dangerous practice, and often serves as the starting point for any number of adventures.
Ron Swanson, from the show Parks and Recreation, also can create a difficult situation, as his use of whiskey and other alcoholic drinks is inherently tied to his character and the air of masculinity that the character is built to portray. As a result, it is possible that a teen or adolescent will see this character as an influential figure and believe that drinking is a part of what they are supposed to do in order to pursue their own masculinity.
It Isn’t Just the Program Itself
Even drugs aren’t immune to this kind of positive exposure. While there isn’t going to be a commercial on television for heroin or cocaine, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still an issue that can develop, particularly in the realm of prescription drugs. Not only do these commercials often also showcase people living out their best lives as a result of taking a drug, but also can mitigate the sense of danger of side effects that may come with the usage of a drug.
The side effects are often quickly listed off, and it is unlikely that someone will have internalized all of the potential issues after hearing the entire list only once or twice. As a result, someone can also begin to formulate their own positive connotation between a better life and the usage of drugs, and even prescription drugs can become a gateway to other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine.
Musical Media
Adolescent substance abuse is also guided by constant exposure to the lyrics of many different songs. There are innumerable references to drugs or alcohol throughout all kinds of songs, and in no way do the references restrict themselves to just one genre. Anything from classic rock and country music to hip hop and jazz all contain songs that involve, or are directly about, the usage of drugs or alcohol.
These references can work to further sanitize the effects of drugs or alcohol or even portray them as inseparable from going to a party or even a sense of financial and social success.
This furthers the idea that drugs and alcohol can be fun, since many people not only idolize music artists for their work and success, but teens and adolescents often look to follow in the paths of their favorite artists. Unfortunately, this may mean seeing the normalization of drugs and alcohol abuse in adolescence as a step in that direction.
Media Influence on Teens: Being a Part of the Process
The media influence of drugs and alcohol on teens and adolescents is something we should all be aware of. Without knowing the various ways in which these dangers present themselves, it can be easy for a teen or adolescent to fall into the trap of the portrayal of alcohol or drugs in the media, and this normalization increases the risks for adolescent substance abuse.
Paying attention to the media being consumed by a teen or adolescent can help to identify potentially dangerous sources of information, but having a conversation about the portrayals themselves can also be beneficial, so teens and adolescents can understand the frame of reference when they inevitably experience these exposures to drugs or alcohol. .
Without addressing these aspects, teens and adolescents are likely to receive two very different, outright conflicting messages about alcohol and drugs — one from their education programs, and another viewpoint from all of the media they may experience. Having them glean their information from media alone can cause dangerous relationships, and even lead to problematic use and addiction in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
• How do TV shows normalize alcohol use for teens?
Shows often portray characters drinking at a bar every day as a normal, non-dangerous activity, which can normalize this behavior for teens and adolescents.
• How are characters like Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation potentially influential on teens?
Ron Swanson's use of whiskey is tied to his character's masculinity, which could influence a teen to believe that drinking is necessary to pursue their own sense of masculinity.
• What is the danger of prescription drug commercials for teens?
These commercials can create a positive connection between a better life and drug use, even though they often quickly list off side effects. This can make prescription drugs seem less dangerous and potentially be a gateway to other substances.
• How does music influence adolescent substance abuse?
Music often includes references to drugs or alcohol that can sanitize their effects or portray them as being part of a successful lifestyle, which can lead teens to see substance use as something to imitate.
• Why is it important for parents to talk to their teens about media portrayals of drugs and alcohol?
Without conversation, teens receive conflicting messages from educational programs and the media they consume, which can lead to a dangerous relationship with drugs and alcohol and increase the risk of future addiction.
When facing the complex challenges of substance use, especially for adolescents, it can feel overwhelming. We understand the powerful influence of media and the conflicting messages it can send. That's why we at Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center are here to help. We believe in a holistic approach, providing a safe and supportive environment where individuals and families can heal and learn to navigate these issues together. Our team is committed to offering personalized care tailored to the unique needs of each person. If you or a loved one is struggling, please don't hesitate to reach out. Call us today at (435) 222-5225, and let us be a part of your journey toward recovery and lasting wellness.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.
Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness
Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.
