Substance Use Disorder in Adolescents
what are substance use disorders in adolescents?
Substance use disorders are marked by a dysfunctional pattern of behavior in which individuals continue to use a substance despite encountering significant negative consequences related to its use.
The use and cessation of substances can lead to psychological, behavioral, and physiological changes, such as intoxication and withdrawal. Additionally, substance misuse may contribute to psychiatric disorders, including depression, psychosis, anxiety, and neurocognitive issues. Adolescents are especially susceptible to neurocognitive impairments from substance use, which can adversely affect their memory, attention, and learning abilities, posing additional risks during this critical period of brain development.
background
Substance use among adolescents ranges from experimentation to severe substance use disorders. All substance use, even experimental use, puts adolescents at risk of short-term problems, such as accidents, fights, unwanted sexual activity, and overdose.
Adolescents commonly use substances such as tobacco, with cigarette smoking influenced by social norms and peer pressure. Alcohol consumption, while less accepted, is experimented with in private settings, and cannabis use is reported among certain groups. Additionally, concerns exist regarding stimulant use, like amphetamines, and the misuse of prescription medications such as painkillers. Anabolic steroid use is prevalent among both athletes and non-athletes, but it carries several side effects. In adolescents, a notable risk is the premature closure of growth plates in bones, which can lead to permanent short stature.
Overall, the most common reasons adolescents reported for using substances were to feel mellow, calm, or relaxed, to have fun or experiment, to sleep better or fall asleep, to stop worrying about a problem or to forget bad memories, to make something less boring, and to help with depression or anxiety.
risk factors
Recognizing these risk factors is vital for prevention efforts and early intervention in adolescents. These risk factors include:
Genetics: A family history of substance use disorders can increase susceptibility.
Mental Health Issues: Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD can elevate the risk of substance use.
Peer Influence: Associating with friends who use substances can encourage experimentation and ongoing use.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to substance use in the home or community can normalize the behavior.
Trauma and Stress: Experiences of trauma, abuse, or significant stress can lead adolescents to use substances as a coping mechanism.
Poor Academic Performance: Struggles in school can lead to feelings of inadequacy and increase the likelihood of substance use.
Lack of Parental Supervision: Reduced parental involvement or monitoring can create opportunities for substance use.
Socioeconomic Status: Economic challenges may correlate with higher rates of substance use due to stress and limited resources.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing substance use in adolescents requires a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, including routine screenings and specific assessment tools, and may also involve drug testing to clarify the adolescent's substance use history.
Behavioral signs that may indicate a child is using drugs or other substances include erratic behavior, mood swings, paranoia, irritability, difficulty focusing, and secrecy. Other concerning behaviors include changes in friendships, declining school performance, loss of interest in hobbies, aggression, irregular sleep patterns, and frequent absences from school or activities.
Physical signs include poor hygiene, changes in appearance, glazed or bloodshot eyes, and abnormal pupil size. Other signs include frequent nosebleeds, sores in the mouth, a puffy face, and track marks from needle use. Additionally, symptoms like shaking hands, cold sweaty palms, headaches, fidgeting, tremors, and sudden weight loss may also be present.
Recognizing these signs is crucial for parents and caregivers to take appropriate action.
treatment
At Mind Clinic, our approach to treating substance use disorders in adolescents is comprehensive and tailored to each young individual's needs. We utilize various forms of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, to help adolescents address underlying issues, develop effective coping strategies, and change harmful behaviors.
We prioritize education and counseling to inform adolescents and their families about the effects of substance use and coping strategies, empowering them to make informed choices. Involving family members in the treatment process is essential for enhancing communication, supporting recovery, and addressing family dynamics that may contribute to substance use.
Medication may also be considered as part of the treatment plan, especially if there are co-occurring mental health conditions. We focus on safe and appropriate pharmacological interventions to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
references
Substance Use in Adolescents – Children’s Health Issues. (n.d.). MSD Manual Consumer Version. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/problems-in-adolescents/substance-use-in-adolescents#Diagnosis_v49814243
Belendiuk, K. A., & Riggs, P. (2014). Treatment of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 1(2), 175–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-014-0016-3
Thomasius, R., Paschke, K., & Arnaud, N. (2022). Substance-use disorders in children and adolescents. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 119(25). https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0122
Connolly, S. (2024). Characteristics of Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drug Use Among Persons Aged 13–18 Years Being Assessed for Substance Use Disorder Treatment — United States, 2014–2022. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7305a1