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Photo courtesy of the NIDA website
Many parents, when confronted with the idea or notion that their teenager may be using drugs or alcohol, brush it off as "what teens do" or they say, "it's healthy for them to experiment a little." What most parents do not know is the dangers that teens face everyday as a result of their "experimenting."
"The adolescent brain is different from that of an adult," National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora Volkow explains, "and that leads to behaviors that definitely put them at much great risk to want to try drugs than the brain of an adult." Furthermore, Dr. Mark Willenbring, Director of Treatment and Recovery Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that "addiction is a disorder of young people." In fact, 95 percent of people who are dependent on alcohol or other drugs started before they were 20 years old.
5 Things to know about Adolescent Brain Development & Use
- The "front end" of the brain, or the part above the eyes, exists primarily to "slow us down" or help us stop our impulsive behaviors. It takes into consideration the benefit and/or risks associated with our certain actions and helps us "hit the breaks" when we consider doing something that is too risky (Crowley).
- The front part of this brain is still developing connections to the other parts of the brain in adolescence, well into the early 20's. Therefore, the adolescent brain lacks some rational thought and logical reasoning, as well as those signals to "put on the brakes" or stop. Quite frankly, if you look at it from teenagers perspective, there are a lot of good reasons to use drugs; afterall, they're just exploring. They have impulse control issues with their brain where they don't have very good judgment about just how risky something can be.
- Druga of abuse are always available to your teen. These drugs feel good, but they can also be very harmful. Lacking some of the wiring for the "stop" message, your teenager may not fully weigh the risks of their use.
- The two drugs that cause the most deaths are also the most widely available: alcohol and tobacco.
- Heavy drug use during times of critical brain development may cause permanent changes in the way the brain works and in the way that it responds to rewards and consequences. That is why it is very important to address any substance abuse as early as possible.
Early Onset of Alcoholism - 5 Warning Signs
- Heavy drinking and alcoholism are more likely to occur when a parent has a similar problem. A family history of alcohol dependence increases risk of alcohol dependence four-fold.
- Other early risk factors include serious childhood behavior problems requiring treatment, such as Attention-Deficiti Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression or anxiety, and health problems such as asthma.
- Often, early onset alcoholism results in serious problems such as emergency room visits, injuries, fights, or declining school performance. These serious problems may occur very early, even from the first time teens drink on their own.
- If a drinking problem develops early, be sure that any treatment includes a thorough evaluation of other possible disorders such as those mentioned above. Treatment of co-existing disorders can help recovery from alcoholism. Also, teens that drink heavily often use other drugs, especially marijuana.
- If an older child begins drinking heavily, younger siblings are more likely to do so as well.
Parents, there is good news! Drug abuse is a preventable behavior and drug addiction is a treatable disease!
Be sure to check back for Part 2 where I will discuss how the brain becomes addicted, including changes in the brain as well as common myths about addiction. Also, for more information, or how you can seek help, please visit the following sites:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
References
National Institute on Drug Abuse (2009). http://www.nida.nih.gov/ Retrieved June 30, 2009.
Comments
If only cannabis was properly regulated....
we could have serious restrictions...
as of now I can't imagine a street dealer asks for ID...teens will be teens unless we begin to address real control of cannabis and get real on education we will never get anywhere on use issues...burying our collective heads in the sand and thinking it will go away or arresting our way out is pure fantasy...Teens need to abstain from all intoxicants, But the adult brain is a different matter. cannabis needs to be avail legal for adult use and properly regulated...cut out the black market profits and street dealers..use taxes to pay for education and rehab facilities for all intoxicant addicted people..too many adults use cannabis responsibly to allow ignorance or a few bad apples to prevent good policy. Illegal or not cannabis will always be here. Lets regulate it responsibly...for the children...
In response to Slash: I agree that cannabis needs to be available for those that are in pain because I do know of their pain relieving affects. That is only for but a small population in the USA compared to its popularized use.
Even if it were legalized, the problems in the USA would remain. Look at the downfall of Amsterdam since legalizing all drugs. Maybe this lifestyle is appealing to some, but for me, my baby girl, and the rest of my family, this isn't the type of world that I want them to live in.
The fact remains, wherever drugs exist - legal or illegal - crime, prostitution, sex crimes, overdosing and everything else remains. Unfortunately, addicts cannot control their use. Look at the problems we're having with prescription medications (opiates, stimulants), they are legal yet still being abused by some - not all.
Thanks for your response! I enjoy debating this topic!!
Mindy
Mindy
Now that vicodin and 'perks' are gonna be pulled from the market. And I will say it is for a very good reason. Acetaminophen is toxic. My point is what will people now do for general pain relief. Cannabis used as a sublingual spray made from a tincture or as a home made whole plant capsule would be a great use of this medicine..But no it's just too addictive for even research, yet anecdotal evidence proves other wise. Responsible social use happens every day...4 in 10 smoke often if not every day or so, and 7 in 10 if they don't, knows someone who does. Pot is easier to get than liqueur or tobacco. Cannabis needs to be above board and regulated. People need to be properly educated about intoxicants and medicine.'vics' and 'perks' are being outlawed, now we will see a black market in these pills and more people in jail. We already arrest over 800,000 people a year for cannabis whether home grows or possession. Please think about your position carefully.
In response to Slash: I have not heard about Vicodin or Percocet being taken off the market - just the OTC cough meds that had Acetaminophen in them. If they are, that will be too bad because even I take those when prescribed (after childbirth). Since you don't know my stance on cannabis, don't assume I am against it. I have counseled adolescents who were put in rehab, or arrested, strictly for marijuana and they came out learning about more drugs and/or more tips/tricks, and they ended up doing other substances instead. Plus, half these kids ended up getting a "record" and going to juvenile for what I call "petty things." So I completely agree with you. While I am generally discussing all drugs in my articles, there are certain ones that I am vehemently against, like alcohol, which is legal. Furthermore, we do research with cannabis, that is how researchers can come out and make such claims. But I agree, if alcohol is legal, why not cannabis. Less people would be on the roads:)
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