substance use disorders

adolescent brain development

the brain is developing until about 25 years old

reduction in gray matter and increase in white matter as age increases

gray matter

Brain tissue involved in processing and decision-making; it decreases with age due to pruning/specialization

white matter

Brain tissue that helps communication between regions; it increases with age as connections strengthen

gas pedal regions

Reward-seeking brain areas (like the striatum) that mature earlier, leading to risk-taking and novelty-seeking

brake pedal regions

Cognitive control/executive functioning areas (prefrontal cortex) that mature later, controlling impulses and decision-making

gender differences in brain development

Male brains typically develop 1–2 years later than female brains because females begin puberty earlier

Excitatory-Inhibitory (E:I) Balance

The balance between brain systems that excite vs. slow down brain activity, which changes during adolescence

glutamate

The brain’s main excitatory neurotransmitter (increases brain activity)

GABA

The brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter (slows brain activity and strengthens self-control)

brain plasticity

The brain’s ability to change and adapt; adolescence is a major period of plasticity

substance use disorders

Disorders involving continued substance use despite negative consequences; considered developmental disorders because they often begin in adolescence/young adulthood

early onset substance use

Starting substance use at a younger age is linked to greater long-term problems and higher risk of addiction

consequences of excessive substance use

Increased mortality, high economic costs, risky sexual behavior, violence, and school/academic problems

binge drinking

Drinking a large amount in 2 hours: 4+ drinks for females or 5+ drinks for males

most common in young adulthood, age 21

THC

The psychoactive chemical in cannabis that causes the “high.”

CBD

A non-psychoactive chemical in cannabis that can affect how THC impacts the body/brain

perceived harm of cannabis

The percentage of teens who think cannabis is harmful has decreased (around 28% view regular use as harmful)

vaping as risk factor

Teens who vape are 3–5 times more likely to later start smoking cigarettes

cigs in an e-cig

1 juul pod is 37 cigs

1 vuse pod is 82 cigs

1 elf bar is 590 cigs

youth substance use impact

Substance use affects the teen brain more than adult brains because the brain is still developing

neuropsychological effects of substance use

Declines in IQ, attention, memory, processing speed, and visuospatial functioning

structural brain effects

Substance use is linked to greater gray matter loss and less white matter growth

functional brain effects

Early substance use may cause increased brain activation (compensation), but continued use can lead to worse functioning

co-use

Using more than one substance (ex: alcohol + cannabis); linked to the most harmful effects

best way to prevent

delayed initiation! Waiting longer to start using substances; lowers lifetime risk of addiction and brain harm.