Is it crazy to expect that all young people who abuse substances are mentally ill? 

If one listens to the media, this would be the case. But don't most teenagers and young adults suffer from some kind of anxiety and/or depression? Aren't these, to some degree, part of the normal course of growing up? Should teenage angst and anxiety really be defined as a mental illness? 

Should teenage angst and anxiety be considered a mental illness? Are we blurring the lines between adolescence and mentally ill? Isn't this angst more likely to be a result of social clumsiness, a need to be accepted and liked? It is the age of tougher peer pressure, relationships, cliques and growing self-confidence.  Unfortunately, many times, substance abuse happens because it is the quick answer to relieve inhibitions and angst. Some articles I've read try to convince me that all abuse stems from a trauma in life.  Ask to define trauma. Everyone experiences some trauma in their life. Most times you learn to get over it. Some trauma that is more serious probably needs professional support and does expose a person to a higher risk of abusing drugs and alcohol. 

Does this mean that all young people are mentally ill and /or suffering some unknown trauma in their history? Or is the simple answer that they want to relax and have fun? I see a danger in not recognizing that some anxiety is normal. Fortunately most young people who drink and use drugs are not going to become addicted. I am in no way promoting this as a solution to social awkwardness, but recognizing that in this world we live in, where young people talk to each other in chats and instant messaging, where public meeting places such as shopping malls are closing down, and after school and summer activities now cost so much that they are out of reach for many families, there is a breakdown in our social culture. This only serves to isolate young people more and weaken the ability to relate to each other person to person. If society can place more emphasis on social skills and interaction, maybe this can be a tool towards the reducing alcohol and drug use among young people.

A good option to consider when looking for ways to spend some of the opioid settlement funds would include free social activities and camps to be available to all families and not just those who can afford them. Some after school activities cost hundreds and even thousand of dollars to participate. Even little league costs too much many for many families. Kids today spend too much time on their cellphone and not enough time building relationships.