When Love Hurts: How Abuse Impacts Teen Mental Health & Substance Use

March 10th, 2026

Hi there! My name is Rosana Rodriguez am a student attending CSUN and am doing my senior internship at Pueblo Y Salud along with my collegue Belen.

Belen and I were recently invited to speak on Cafecito con Conciencia 's on KROJ 101.5 to talk about teen dating abuse and how it impacts mental health and substance use.

During the segment, we talked about how youth brains are still developing during the teen years. Because of this, experiences during this stage, especially stressful or traumatic ones like dating abuse, can have a strong impact on mental health. Teens who experience abuse may be more likely to experience anxiety, depression, chronic stress, and fear.

We also talked about how this can increase the risk of substance use. Some teens may turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with emotional pain, stress, or trauma. While it might feel like temporary relief, it often makes mental health symptoms worse and can create long-term health risks.

One of the biggest messages we wanted listeners to understand is that no teen should 

feel alone when going through something like this. Support and resources are available.

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: Call 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522.This is free, private and available 24/7. The people who answer are trained to listen and help you figure out your next steps.

If you’re reading this and something in your relationship doesn’t feel right, I want you to trust that feeling. You’re not “too sensitive,” you’re not dramatic, and you’re not asking for too much. You deserve to feel safe, respected, and cared for.

Please don’t be scared to speak up, even if you feel like you only have one person to go to. Even one safe person can help you feel less alone. It could be a friend, a trusted adult, or someone on the hotline. You don’t have to carry this by yourself. There are people ready to listen and support you.

You deserve healthy love. Always.

Source:  Saini, N., Smith, S. N., Wongpaiboon, M., Crowther, V. B., Buxbaum, S., & Tawk, R. (2024). The Relationship between Adolescent Dating Violence and Risky Health Behavioral Outcomes. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(15), 1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12151464