Why the Teenage Brain is Susceptible to Addiction.

 

Some studies of the human brain have attempted to

pinpoint the changes that occur during adolescence.

Health researchers have found that dramatic spurts

of both physical and intellectual growth happen

during the teenage years.

As the brain changes, some brain functions form at

different rates.

The pleasure centers of a teenager’s brain develop

faster than the parts of the brain responsible for

decision-making and risk analysis.

It’s no secret that teenagers can be risk-takers who

don’t always recognize the consequences of their

actions. Drug and alcohol experimentation is often

highest during these critical formative years.

Teens are more likely to perceive social benefits of

drug use (such as being accepted among peers or

feeling more social) than they are to evaluate the

negative effects. If you’re concerned about

substance abuse in the life of a teen you know, get in

touch with a treatment provider for help and support.

                                    

Brain Development During Teen Years

During adolescence, a young person goes through

biological and psychological changes. In addition tothe physical changes that mark growing up, the

teen’s brain is also developing ways to work more

effectively. One way it accomplishes this is through

eliminating unnecessary synapses and connections

between different parts of the brain. This kind of

mental pruning allows the adult brain to be more

focused and efficient.

                                          

Why Substance Abuse is Detrimental to the Brain

The teenage years are vital to healthy cognitive

function as an adult, so it is important to maintain a

strict level of healthy behavior during these years.

Drug abuse can impact the brain’s ability to function

in the short-term as well as prevent proper growth

and development for later in life.

Substance abuse affects teen brain development by:

Interfering with neurotransmitters and damaging

connections within the brain

Reducing the ability to experience pleasure

Creating problems with memory

Causing missed opportunities during a period of

heightened learning potential

Ingraining expectations of unhealthy habits into

brain circuitry

Inhibiting development of perceptual abilities

How Drinking Affects Teens

Teens tend to be more likely than adults to binge

drink (drinking enough in a short amount of time to

reach the legal blood alcohol content limit). Studies

have also shown that the teen brain responds

differently to alcohol than the adult brain does.

People who begin drinking during adolescence,

especially those who drink a lot, are more likely to

develop an alcohol dependence than those who

don’t.

In addition to addiction risks, alcohol poses a serious

risk to the physical health and growth of teens.

Studies have shown that excessive drinking in teens

can result in:

In addition to the physical risks of teen drinking and

drug abuse, there are many other consequences that

could haunt teens well into adulthood. Because

substance abuse can muddy reasoning and encourage

rash decisions, there are many side effects of

substance abuse that go far beyond the biological

and physiological aspects.

Some of these include:

Criminal records that cannot be expunged

Car accidents

Assaults

Sexually transmitted diseases

Unplanned pregnancies

Wasted academic opportunities

Late start in chosen career path

Damaged relationships with friends and family