Substance use and abuse in adolescents

[Lizzy Liz]

Substance use among adolescents ranges from experimentation to severe substance use disorders. All substance use, even experimental use, puts adolescents at risk of short-term problems, such as accidents, fights, unwanted sexual activity, and overdose. Substance use also interferes with adolescent brain development. Adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of substance use and are at increased risk of developing long-term consequences, such as mental health disorders, underachievement in school, a substance use disorder, and higher rates of addiction, if they regularly use alcohol, marijuana, nicotine , or other drugs during adolescence.
In modern Western society, substance use is an easy way for adolescents to satisfy the normal developmental need to take risks and seek thrills. Not surprisingly, substance use is common as adolescents get older, and about 70% of adolescents will try alcohol before high school graduation. However, recurring or ongoing substance use is much less common. Even occasional substance use is risky and should not be trivialized, ignored, or allowed by adults. Parental attitudes and the examples that parents set regarding their own use of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, and other substances are a powerful influence.
According to national surveys, the proportion of 12th graders who report they have not used any substances in their lifetime has been steadily increasing over the past 40 years. However, at the same time, a broad range of more potent and dangerous products (such as prescription opioids, high-potency marijuana products, and fentanyl ) has become available. These products put adolescents who do start using substances at higher risk of developing both short- and long-term consequences.
The substances that are used most by adolescents are alcohol, nicotine (in tobacco or vaping products), and marijuana.
(See also Introduction to Problems in Adolescents.)