United Kingdom
Castle Craig, Scotland
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Page last updated
Thursday 16th Jul 2026
Page written by
Victoria McCann, Communications Director
Clinically reviewed by
Ralf Warren, General Practitioner
When a person is navigating the landscape of youth and addiction, it can leave them, and those around them, feeling perhaps worried or unsure of what to do to help.
At Castle Health, our team has helped families and young people through recovery for forty years, providing youth addiction treatment, mental health treatment, and family therapy for all those impacted by substance dependency.
Understanding youth and addiction
Addiction among young people isn’t limited to illegal drugs. While cannabis and alcohol are two of the most commonly used substances among 15–16-year-olds in Europe – gaming, social media, and prescription drug addictions are becoming more common.
Whilst there’s no single reason why a young person develops an addiction, the teenage years involve a lot of change. As the brain matures, an individual can experience new emotions and ways of experiencing the world that can be difficult to understand. Teenagers today are growing up under pressures that previous generations didn’t face in the same way. Between 2014 and 2024, the proportion of people aged 16–24 in England experiencing mental health issues rose from 19% to almost 26%. And, during 2024-25, nearly 75% of individuals starting treatment for drug and alcohol abuse in England had a co-existing mental health challenge.
Social media may also play a part. It has created a culture of constant comparison, where young people measure themselves against carefully curated versions of others’ lives. This constant exposure has been linked to increased symptoms of depression, among both males and females, who are both vulnerable to body image concerns.
Stress, curiosity, and the desire to ‘fit in’ can all play a role in how addictive behaviours develop. Some young people turn to addiction as a way of managing feelings or pressures that they haven’t been taught how to navigate:
- Drug use might start due to social pressures, before becoming more frequent.
- Alcohol use, and subsequent dependency, can be linked to social pressures or attempts to manage anxiety.
- Signs of gaming addiction in youth can start to interfere with sleep, school, and relationships – certain games are also designed to keep users addicted, especially younger audiences
- Some gaming companies and online influencers can openly encourage gambling in a less ‘traditional’ sense. For example, buying in game boxes with varying probabilities of getting a reward, online personalities promoting crypto or non-traditional gambling markets such as Kalshi.
Youth and drug addiction, youth and internet addiction, and other forms of dependence can all look different, but can all impact mood, relationships, and mental wellbeing.
Our team of consultant psychiatrists and therapists support young people with addiction to harmful substances or behaviours in ways that reflect both the dependency and their wider lives.
Recognising the signs of addiction in young people
The effects of drug addiction in young people can be easy to miss as a parent or guardian. There might be changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, or appetite. The individual might become more withdrawn or secretive.
On their own, these things might not seem significant, though together they can suggest a problem. In particular, a young person developing an addiction may start:
- Becoming withdrawn, or not wanting to talk to their family
- Showing sudden mood swings, being irritable or having unexplained emotional outbursts
- Falling behind in school
- Losing interest in hobbies
- Changes in sleep, eating habits, or daily routines
- Not paying attention to their physical appearance or hygiene
- Money is going missing, unexplained spending or selling personal items
When to seek help
If things seem to be getting worse, or you’re concerned about safety, reaching out for help early can prevent patterns from becoming harder to change.
“I contacted Castle Health [formerly CATCH Recovery] seeking guidance and options to support a relative who was having a difficult time both with addiction and other mental health concerns. The team were incredibly kind and informed, they took the time to go through all the options with me and helped us plan how to approach the matter. Fortunately the person has now been receiving care from [Castle] for several months and is doing really well. A big thank you to the wonderful team. I would highly recommend this service.”
Addiction treatment options for young people
The right treatment depends on the young person’s age, their circumstances, and how their addiction is affecting their life.
At Castle Health, we offer a variety of flexible treatment formats for addiction to drugs and alcohol in youth.
Outpatient vs. residential care for youth aged 16+
Outpatient treatment allows young adults to attend therapy while living at home and staying in school or work.
Residential treatment may be considered for those aged 16 and over when addiction is more severe or home support isn’t enough. The right option depends on stability and personal health needs.
Castle Health’s approach to youth treatment
Castle Health provides youth addiction treatment through outpatient care, with access to residential treatment for teenagers aged 16 and over when appropriate. Our specialists focus on understanding the young person as a whole, not just their addiction.
The aim is to help them make lasting changes, while considering their emotional health and life at home or school.
Dual diagnosis and co-occurring mental health
Young people that are living with addiction might also be living with anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodiversity, or mood disorders. A review from a team in Czechia found that addiction could be found in an average of 32% of young people with an underlying mental health challenge.
Treating child and youth addiction and mental health together supports more stable care over time.
Supporting families through the recovery journey
Addiction doesn’t always impact just one person alone. It can also strongly affect life at home. Trust and communication between family members can become strained.
That’s why youth addiction treatment includes families, through family therapy, education sessions, or recovery-based workshops.
You can continue to support a younger relative after their rehab treatment by learning healthy boundaries and how to respond to any setbacks.
Progress in recovery rarely follows a straight line, but our family support programme helps the wider constellation to learn ways to manage this without becoming overwhelmed.
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Why choose Castle Health?
Castle Health brings medical professionals and mental health specialists together to provide compassionate, considerate care for youth with addiction.
Our young people’s rehab treatment is guided by evidence, using trauma-informed methods to help us foster a deep understanding of the behaviour, to best treat it.
Our team approach helps us look at the whole person, especially when addiction overlaps with physical or mental health issues. The aim is to help young people feel safe and supported during their recovery.
Get help for a young person today
If you’re worried about a young person, you don’t have to manage this alone.
You can contact Castle Health directly to discuss your concerns. The conversation is completely confidential and will help us to understand what’s happening and how we can help you.
You’ll be guided through the next steps at a pace that feels right for your situation. This might involve an assessment, a conversation about treatment, or guidance on how families can be supported.
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From the UK: 0131 287 4071
International: +44 (131) 287 4071
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Frequently asked questions about youth addiction
Where can I find online counselling services for youth addiction?
If you’re looking for online counselling to support a young person, Castle Health offers outpatient youth and addiction services that include remote therapy.
Sessions are tailored to young people and families affected by addiction, and they can cover substances, gaming, or mental health.
Can teenagers go to rehab?
Yes. At Castle Health, we consider teenagers aged 16 and over on a case-by-case basis after a detailed assessment.
This approach helps us determine if they are eligible for intensive youth addiction treatment away from home. Outpatient services and family support are also available for younger teens through our wider network.
What kinds of addiction affect young people?
Young people can develop challenges and dependencies with alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, or prescription medications. They may also engage in excessive gaming or internet use. These addictions can often occur alongside other mental health problems.
Is internet or gaming addiction in young people treated the same as drug use?
Both are treated using the same evidence-based therapies, even though they can look quite different to ‘traditional’ addictions such as drug or alcohol misuse.
At Castle Health, each young person is assessed so treatment reflects what’s behind their addiction and how it’s affecting them. They then develop a personalised youth mental health and addiction recovery plan.
How involved can parents or families be in treatment?
Treatment for youth and addiction welcomes family members to be involved in the recovery process.
Parents or caregivers can attend therapy sessions, participate in recovery workshops, and be a part of planning their ongoing care. This enables the whole family to start recovering as a unit.
What if my child doesn’t think they have a problem?
It’s common for young people to deny or downplay addiction. The process of expressing concern gently, while obtaining professional advice and working with a family therapist, can help families start discussions about youth addiction treatment.