Nov 22, 2024
Understanding early-onset substance use in teens: Key factors and impact
Siddhartha JanaAdolescents are more likely to engage in substance use because their brains are still developing, particularly the reward system, which promotes a desire for extreme experiences such as drug usage.
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Genetic variables, such as a family history of substance use problems, might raise a teenager's chances of developing early-onset addiction by altering the brain's sensitivity to chemicals.
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Environmental variables such as inadequate parental supervision, high stress, and a lack of healthy role models all contribute to substance use as a means of escape or peer acceptance.
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Early substance use affects the brain's reward and stress response circuits, resulting in emotional and psychological effects such as reliance and difficulty with emotional development.
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Repeated drug use during adolescence can "rewire" neural pathways, increasing the brain's reliance on substances for pleasure and perhaps leading to long-term dependence.
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Trauma or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as maltreatment or family instability, can worsen the effects of early drug use, impeding emotional development and posing mental health risks.
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Effective interventions for teenage addiction include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), as well as family participation and educational activities.
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Early intervention and open communication can help families and communities detect early indicators of substance use, such as withdrawal from family, deteriorating academic performance, and secrecy, and prevent reliance from developing.
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