When a young person feels unable to control their anger it can create significant problems that permeate all areas of their life. This can lead to young people feeling that they are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion.

Some young people use substances as a way of suppressing or releasing their anger. Substances can also be used to find relief from the shame and/or negative self-appraisal associated with anger expressed in an antisocial way, particularly when the consequence has been harm to others.

Anger can also lead to other serious problems including damaged personal relationships, problems at school or work, verbal and physical fights and/or damaged property. Over time problems with managing anger can have psychological and physical health consequences such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and psychosomatic illnesses.

Effective anger management can enable young people to recognise and accept their anger and have more control over what they do about it. This can increase a young person’s self esteem and self efficacy and reduce his or her reliance on substances to moderate the their anger.