MOMSTELL - Mechanicsburg, PA

Adolescent Brain Development and Drug Abuse Research indicates that brain development is still in progress during adolescence; immature brain regions may place teenagers at elevated risk to effects of drugs. --- Ken C. Winters, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Treatment Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA

The adolescent brain is a brain in transition.
Frontal lobe gray matter reaches its peak around the age of 11 or 12 and then
decreases throughout adolescence.
The brain has heightened plasticity during adolescence.
The sets of brain circuits rapidly undergoing change during adolescence are the same ones involved in the development of addictions.
The parts of the brain responsible for functions such as self control, judgment, and
emotions undergo the greatest changes between puberty and adulthood.
The majority of serious health problems involving the control of behavior and emotions occur during adolescence.
Mortality and morbidity increase by 300 percent during adolescence.
Adolescents react differently than adults to the initial effects of alcohol.

Addiction as a Medical Disorder

Addiction is a chronic disease involving brain chemistry, which over time makes it difficult
for a person with an addictive disorder to stop using drugs or alcohol despite his/her wish to do so. Lapses in the prescribed treatment therapy also can interfere with a person's ability to stop using drugs or alcohol. Addiction treatment is as effective as treatments for other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Recovery from addiction is dependent on the availability of treatment and may require multiple courses of treatment, as with other relapsing conditions.

The following behavior changes, when persistent for several days, may indicate drug or alcohol use and will need further screening by a professional:

Sudden changes in personality without another known cause
Sudden Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, or other activities
Sudden decline in performance or attendance at school or work
Changes in friends and reluctance to talk about new friends
Deterioration of personal grooming habits
Difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness
Sudden aggressive behavior, irritability, nervousness, or giddiness
Increased secretiveness, heightened sensitivity to inquiry

Over 1 million adolescents, age 12-17, meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on illicit drugs and over 900 thousand of them are dependent on alcohol.
In 2010, 10.1 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users, with 7.4 percent current users of marijuana, 3.0 percent current nonmedical users of psychotherapeutic drugs

The rate of current illicit drug use among young adults aged 18 to 25 increased from 19.6 percent in 2008 to 21.5 percent in 2010, driven largely by an increase in marijuana use

More than half (55 percent) of our Nation's 12th graders have tried illicit drugs, and more than one-forth (29 percent) of them have tried more potent drugs like cocaine, inhalants, and heroin.
Youth age 16-17 have the second highest rate (16.4 percent) of current illicit drug use in the U.S. The highest rate (19.9 percent) is found among young adults age 18-20.

In 2010, 23.1 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem

In 2010, about 10.0 million persons aged 12 to 20 (26.3 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Approximately 6.5 million (17.0 percent) were binge drinkers, and 2.0 million (5.1 percent) were heavy drinkers
Although the legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, In 2010, about 10.0 million persons aged 12 to 20 (26.3 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol in the past month. Approximately 6.5 million (17.0 percent) were binge
drinkers, and 2.0 million (5.1 percent) were heavy drinkers
One-forth of youth age 10-17 say their friends "huff" (inhale the fumes of household products). More than one-third (34 percent) of youth age 13-15 were exposed to peers using inhalants.

Drug Facts provided by Office of Applied Studies