Types of Substance Use Disorders in Youth - Adolescents and Addiction

Course Summary

By the twelfth grade, around half of all high school students have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime. Many other substances, such as aerosol sprays and glues, are even easier for adolescents to obtain and use. Whether a substance use disorder results from use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine products, prescription drugs, or other illicit substances, teens that use these substances are at risk of the damaging and long-term effects that can last into adulthood. It is believed that a major contributing factor in the vulnerability of adolescents to substance use disorders is related to the natural, early development of brain reward and pain centers that cause them to seek pleasure. Health professionals need to be aware of the warning signs of an adolescent substance use disorder and the relationship between mental disorders and addiction in order to properly diagnose and treat these young individuals.