Most drug use starts and peaks during adolescence 765 of all teens lt18 years of age try an addictive substance Alcohol 72 Cigarettes 46 Marijuana 38 194 will meet the criteria for a substance use disorder ID: 201643
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Slide1
Teenage Addiction and the BrainSlide2
Most drug use starts and peaks during adolescence76.5% of all teens (<18 years of age) try an addictive substance
Alcohol 72%
Cigarettes 46%Marijuana 38%19.4% will meet the criteria for a substance use disorder
Brain development and the role of environmental triggers in substance abuse Slide3
Brief neurotransmission lesson
Diagram of a neuron
Neurotransmitter transmissionSlide4
No one sets out to become addictedFirst time use of any drug may be a choice but biology takes over in addiction
Every drug to which people can become addicted does so primarily because of the release of the neurotransmitter Dopamine
Dopamine is involved in regulation of movement, reward and punishment, pleasure, and energy
Brain chemistry and addictionSlide5
Synaptic changes occur with maturationThe fostering of these connections promotes life long learning
Connections can be impacted by substance use during adolescence; if they are not formed or are abnormal, they lead to misinformation Slide6
Gray matter develops between the ages of 5 and 20Nerve cells are covered with insulation (myelin) which is made up of fat
Insulated neurons travel together to make pathways
Myelination increases in adolescenceBrain development Slide7
Key brain regionsFrontal cortex – responsible for planning, strategizing and judgment – develops later in youth
Amygdala – responsible for emotional responses and assigns value to sensory stimuli
Hippocampus – responsible for memory formation and stress regulationCorpus Callosum – connects the hemispheres and is responsible for creativity and problem solving
How does the adolescent brain functionSlide8Slide9
All drugs that have reward impact will increase dopamine levels in the part of the brain associated with reward and motivational behavior
Adults have the ability to regulate their amygdala better than teens
The adult cortex can “throttle things down” but the teen cortex is not developed enough to do that as wellSlide10
Dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex during adolescence increases:
Impulsivity
Novelty/sensation seekingDrug rewardFood rewardThe adolescent brain functions differently when exposed to drugs
Drugs, dopamine and teensSlide11
Despite increased cognition and learning potential in the adolescent brain, they are more vulnerable because:
They respond strongly to rewarding stimuli
They have lower inhibitory controlAdolescents have less insight into their mistakes
So why are adolescents vulnerable?Slide12
The timing of exposure to drugs dictates part of its enduring actions
For example, the age of onset of alcohol use is a predictor of future abuse
Below age 15, 4 to 5 times more likely to develop alcoholism compared to those who start after age 21Alcohol dependence decreases 14% for every year a teen delays starting
How can this information be used in preventionSlide13
Age of onset: Early adolescent rats consume more alcohol than adult rats
Length of intoxication: Early adolescent rats consume more alcohol than adult rats
Alcohol inhibits ability to learn in adolescent rats more than in adult ratesThis research demonstrates increased impact of alcohol use in adolescence versus adulthood
Results of animal studiesSlide14
Adolescents are more inclined to be driven by rewards – use age appropriate approaches that support this tendency
Integrate prevention; gear toward general public, specific population or subgroup, and specific high risk individuals
Consider the brain when talking with teensTeens interpret situations with amygdala (from an emotional point of view) – remain calm, rationale and do not engage in emotional debate
Prevention Strategies