HOUSTON – As Houston-area families gear up for spring break, experts are sounding the alarm: the combination of free time and teen loneliness can be a dangerous mix.
Bridget McCauley, Chief Clinical Officer at the Council on Recovery, says that while spring break is supposed to be fun, it’s also a time when substance use risk goes up.
“Teenagers are really looking to connect and frequently find that alcohol and drugs are a way to connect,” she explains. “We really want to help them understand that connection doesn’t have to come with a hangover, and there are other ways that we can have fun and still connect with friends.”
During spring break, parents may still be working while teens are home or out with friends.
McCauley says it’s not just the lack of supervision that’s risky, it’s what happens when teens feel alone and disconnected.
“It’s not just the isolation that is the challenge,” she says. “It’s more, how can we help people connect?”
That drive for connection can push teens toward parties, drinking, and experimenting with drugs, especially if they believe that’s what everyone else is doing.;
McCauley warns that using alcohol or drugs during adolescence doesn’t just affect behavior in the moment; it can change the way the brain develops.
Using substances “will actually disrupt the developing brain,” she says.
It interferes with normal brain development and fast-tracks the brain’s pleasure system, so teens start looking for quick fixes to feel better.
That puts them at higher risk for addiction.
McCauley said research shows that about 70% of kids who try an illegal drug before age 13 are likely to develop a substance use disorder within seven years.
McCauley urges parents to start conversations early and keep them going. The goal is to make talking about drugs, alcohol, and mental health a normal part of family life, not a one-time lecture.,
McCauley calls increased isolation “the number one sign” that a teen may be in trouble. That can look like:
- Spending most of their time alone in their room
- Sudden changes in sleep patterns
- Pulling away from family or longtime friends
- Short, one-word answers, or avoiding conversation
She points out that depression and anxiety are already common among teens, and both “breed in isolation.”
While many young people turn to technology and social media to feel connected, McCauley warns that constant scrolling can actually make things worse.
“Isolation is a huge problem,” she says, “and then reaching to technology to connect is another problem. It’s fueling the isolation.”
Even in a busy household, McCauley says parents can take small, intentional steps that protect their kids:
- Plan at least one activity a day during spring break—something outside the home or with others, if possible.
- Check in frequently, even if it’s just a quick call or text when you’re at work.
- Encourage healthy outlets like sports, games, or getting outside in the nicer weather.
- Build your own support system so you’re not trying to handle everything alone.
“It’s a lot of pressure on parents,” McCauley acknowledges. That’s why she encourages moms and dads to reach out for help, too.
“If a parent is concerned about their child, I would recommend that they call the Council on Recovery,” she says. Parents can also talk to their child’s healthcare provider or a trusted leader in their faith community.
As spring break approaches, the message is clear: connection protects kids. When teens feel seen, heard, and supported, they’re less likely to abuse substances.