Teen Health: Substance Use and Abuse
Penn State PRO Wellness・2 minutes read
Substance misuse is prevalent among U.S. teens, with significant impacts on health and academic performance. Adolescents are more susceptible to drug abuse due to heightened dopamine activity, and seeking help through resources like 1-800-662-HELP is crucial in combating addiction.
Insights
- Substance misuse is prevalent among teens and young adults in the U.S., with alarming statistics showing high rates of drug, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use among high school students, driven by heightened dopamine activity in the reward center of the adolescent brain.
- Drug abuse poses serious health risks, impacting brain development in teenagers and leading to cognitive deficits, academic struggles, memory impairment, and social difficulties, emphasizing the importance of recognizing addiction as a brain disease and highlighting the availability of support through resources like the National Helpline and dedicated websites.
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Recent questions
What are common substances misused by teens?
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products.
What are the consequences of drug abuse on teens?
Poor grades, memory loss, social problems.
How does dopamine affect teen decision-making?
More active in reward center, sensitive to rewards.
What is addiction considered?
Brain disease affecting anyone.
Where can support be found for substance abuse?
Call 1-800-662-HELP or visit www.easyread.drugabuse.gov.
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