Kids Who Bully; Kids Who Abuse Substances

An Ohio State study asked over 74,000 students in middle and high schools in Franklin County, Ohio about bullying and substance abuse.  Researchers found that students who bully and those who are both bullies and victims are more likely to get involved with substance abuse such as drinking, smoking, and/or using marijuana.  According to lead author Kisha Radiff, “Our findings suggest that one deviant behavior may be related to another.” Although classroom teachers and principals have surely guessed that this true, they also realize that not all those who bully become substance abusers and not all substance abusers are bullies. It was estimated by the Ohio researchers that about 30 percent of Middle School students bully, while 23 percent bully in high school.  Substance abuse percentages were significantly higher among high school students.  Do the acts of bullying and substance abuse spring from the same needs within some students, and if so, why?