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Substance use & The Teen Brain
Substance use & The Teen Brain
Why does it seem so easy to think of experimenting with alcohol as a right of passage? It’s easy to recognize the obvious risks of drug, alcohol or nicotine use – that is, that it can result in negative consequences like car accidents, personal injury and in some cases may even lead to addiction. But less obvious is the impact substance use has on the still-developing teen brain.
In the same way we’ve come to recognize the negative consequences that a mother’s drinking or smoking can have on a developing fetus, we now know there are distinct risks to brain development with teen substance use. Read more...
Rethink teens & Vaping
Rethink teens & Vaping
Vaping among youth presents a variety of dangers. Animal studies show that nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm brain development and lead to addiction. Other chemicals and flavors in some vaping products also have toxic properties. The health risks of vaping among youth and young adults include respiratory ailments; negative impacts on attention, learning, and memory; and long-term effects remain unknown.
Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens
Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Impacting Teens
The fastest-growing drug problem in the United States isn’t cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines. It is prescription drugs, and it is profoundly affecting the lives of teenagers.
Some people abuse prescription drugs because they think they will help them have more fun, lose weight, fit in, and even study more effectively. Prescription drugs can be easier to get than street drugs: Family members or friends may have them. But prescription drugs are also sometimes sold on the street like other illegal drugs. In 2017, 1 in 7 teens surveyed said they have taken a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription.
A common misperception is that prescription drugs are safer or less harmful to one’s body than other kinds of drugs. However, there is a range of short- and long-term health consequences for each type of prescription drug used inappropriately:
Stimulants have side effects in common with cocaine, and may include paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and an irregular heartbeat, especially if stimulants are taken in large doses or in ways other than swallowing a pill.
Opioids, which act on the same parts of the brain as heroin, can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and, depending on the amount taken, slowed breathing.
Depressants can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, fatigue, disorientation, lack of coordination, and seizures upon withdrawal from chronic use. Read more...
spot the signs of teen substance use Early
spot the signs of teen substance use Early
Figuring out if your child is using substances can be challenging. Many of the signs and symptoms are typical teen or young adult behavior. Many are also symptoms of mental health issues, including depression or anxiety.
If you have reason to suspect use, don’t be afraid to err on the side of caution. Prepare to take action and have a conversation during which you can ask direct questions like “Have you been drinking, vaping or using drugs?” No parent wants to hear “yes,” but being prepared for how you would respond can be the starting point for a more positive outcome.
Tips on How, Where, and What to Look for to Spot Early Drug Use in Teens
Who gets addicted?
Who gets addicted?
Anyone who uses alcohol or drugs runs the risk of developing an addiction. In some cases, occasional use can turn into severe dependency and addiction. Regardless of a person’s age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, any person can be affected by substance abuse. But while it is possible for anyone who uses drugs or alcohol to develop dependencies, many people who do, do not develop addictions.
Starting alcohol, nicotine or other substance use at an early age is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of an increased risk of addiction.
90% of people with addictions started using substances in their teen years.
90% of people with addictions started using substances in their teen years.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Risk Factors for Addiction
Keep in mind that risk factors do not determine one’s destiny — rather, they are useful in gauging the potential for a problem to develop. Preventing and delaying substance use for as long as possible, along with addressing any underlying risk factors, are important ways to reduce the likelihood of problem substance use. Fostering your child’s coping skills, mental health and relationships, along with keeping them safe, can serve as protective factors. Read more about each of these risk factors and how to help bridge the conversation with your loved one here.
Family History of Addiction
Mental Health Concerns
Behavioral or Impulse Control Concerns
Exposure to Trauma
Environmental Factors
Age of First Use
Don't wait to get Help - create a plan!
Don't wait to get Help - create a plan!
Realizing that you or your student needs help for their substance use can be frightening and overwhelming. Click here for help recognizing when and how to get help and finding treatment.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
This is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
Local Treatment Resources:
Local Treatment Resources:
- This is a three session program for youth aged 12 to 18 who are experimenting or have experimented with substances.
Drug Abuse Information:
Drug Abuse Information:
National Institution of Drug Abuse
- NIDA is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences.
- We aim to give families the tools and confidence to make the best health choices. Here's what you'll find on KidsHealth.org: Doctor-reviewed advice on hundreds of physical, emotional, and behavioral topics — from before birth through the teen years. Separate sections for parents, kids, and teens, each created with your questions in mind. Easy-to-follow articles, slideshows, videos, and health tools designed to help families learn, grow, and be their best. Free lesson plans and programs for teachers and early childhood educators.
- We are a diverse community of researchers, advocates, clinicians, communicators and more, all working together to provide support and solutions for families impacted by addiction. We provide personalized support and resources for families impacted by addiction, while mobilizing policymakers, researchers and health care professionals to more effectively address addiction systemically on a national scale.
Vaping:
Vaping:
Center of Disease Control - Teens & Vaping
- CDC is the nation’s health protection agency, working 24/7 to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. CDC increases the health security of our nation.
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