Routine physicals and exams are crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lack of access to quality healthcare is detrimental, as symptoms that go untreated may develop into additional, preventable conditions. Adolescents who do not trust or refrain the whole truth from healthcare professionals may prevent themselves from receiving the proper treatment that they need. However, individuals have reported that disclosing a SUD to healthcare professionals resulted in receiving poor healthcare (Earnshaw, 2020). 

Poor structure of a neighborhood can contribute to the increased risk for adolescents to develop a SUD. Factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, and lack of stability can result in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood that negatively impacts residents (Cambron et al., 2020). Adolescents who reside in such neighborhoods face unique barriers, including the challenge to move out to a different neighborhood with greater circumstances.            

Peer influence plays a large role during the stage of adolescence. Exposure to substances introduced by peers can increase an adolescent's chances of participation in substance use. This can result in a higher risk of developing a SUD due to the persuasion of peers and immature brain (Gray & Squeglia, 2018). 

Strong family values can support healthy behaviors by setting expectations around substance use, promoting health knowledge, and encouraging positive coping strategies. However, families who have inconsistent values, limited communication, or permissive attitudes surrounding substance use may increase the likelihood of teen drug use. A family history of substance use disorder can also contribute to risk through genetic and environmental factors. Additionally, family beliefs can impact a teen's recovery process as the way addition is viewed can help or hinder treatment efforts (Feinberg et al., 2022). 

Socioeconomic status (SES) affects teen drug use by shaping their home, school, and neighborhood environments. Teens from low-income families often face multiple stressors from money, family, unsafe living conditions, and access to fewer resources in schools and the community. These challenges can lead to depression, anxiety, and using substances such as drugs and alcohol to cope. Exposure to family or peer substance use, bullying and violence also increases the risk of substance use in teens with lower SES. Teens who face both poverty and discrimination are at higher risk for mental health diagnoses and substance use disorder (Adams, 2025)