The Effects of Drugs on Mental Health and Brain Function in Teens
One question that sometimes gets lost in the discussion about drug abuse in the United States is this one – how do drugs affect the brain of a teenager? There are very serious implications associated with drug use among adolescents, so this is a topic worthy of closer inspection.
We’ll take a look at this important piece of the substance abuse puzzle. As you’ll see below, the teen brain is particularly vulnerable, and it needs to be protected during these critical years. Drug and alcohol use at this important time can be especially damaging and lead to changes that last a lifetime.
At Artemis Adolescent Healing Center, we are proud to offer treatment to teens suffering from substance use disorder. Rapid intervention is essential in these cases, so if you have a teen in your life who is facing difficulty with illicit drugs, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
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Why the Teen Brain is So Vulnerable
Adolescence is a period of rapid development. Everything is changing quickly during this phase of life. Not only are there physical changes, but the brain develops, new emotions emerge, and more. The teen is on their way toward becoming an adult, but brain development doesn’t finish until around the age of 25.
Specifically, the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for judgment and planning, is one of the last areas to develop.
By contrast, the limbic system is already fully developed by this point, and that area is in charge of things like emotions and reward pathways. This uneven combination of brain development can leave teens more likely to be drawn in by substance abuse.
How Drugs Disrupt Brain Chemistry
For people of all ages, drugs interfere with the brain’s communication system. Brain messages don’t work as they should when drugs are present. Some drugs imitate the natural chemical messengers in the brain, while others overstimulate the reward pathways.
Opioids are well known for mimicking endorphins and producing a euphoric high. The brain begins to crave that stimulation over and over, and in larger doses.
Dopamine and Teen Brain Development
Alternatively, drugs like cocaine flood the brain with a massive hit of dopamine, which leads to a fleeting but powerful feeling of pleasure. Other drugs can be just as addictive in their own ways.
It’s dangerous for anyone to disrupt their brain chemistry in this way. For teens, the danger is greater because the effects can become hardwired.
Since the brain is in the middle of the development process, providing it with drugs could leave the young person with brain chemistry that is forever changed.
The Mental Health Disorders Associated with Drug Abuse
There is a powerful connection between teen drug abuse and mental health disorders. It’s easy to think of drug use as a response to psychotic disorders, and it can be, but it’s also possible for teens to encounter a mental health crisis as a result of their drug use.
The increased risk of mental health challenges that teens face will vary depending on the type of drugs in question. Here is more information about some of the common types of substances that are used by teens.
Marijuana Use
Using marijuana is extremely common among young people. While sometimes seen as “safe”, the fact is that marijuana use comes with an increased risk of depression and suicidal ideation.
This is particularly true when use begins during the developmental phase before the age of 18.
Heavy Alcohol Abuse
Drinking heavily during the teenage years can lead to mood disorders and social anxiety problems. Not only are these issues serious problems that need to be dealt with in the moment, but they can also remain an issue throughout the rest of adult life.
Any teen is at risk of drinking, but those with a family history of alcohol abuse are even more vulnerable.
Hallucinogens and Stimulants
Some psychiatric disorders may come on as a result of hallucinogen or stimulant use. Episodes of paranoia, panic attacks, or long-term psychosis are all possible.
Even something as simple as peer pressure to try these types of drugs can quickly create a lasting problem that changes the course of a teen’s life forever.
The Impact on Learning Performance
It should come as no surprise that drug use has a negative impact on education and academic performance. There are a couple of different reasons for this decline in learning while dealing with an addiction.
The first problem is the way drug use changes how the brain functions. For example, using marijuana or alcohol will get in the way of the brain learning new things. Teens learn efficiently when their brains are free from substances, but interfering with normal pathways will have severe consequences.
It can be expected that grades will decline soon after an addiction begins, and many teens in this situation wind up dropping out of school.
The Impact on Adolescent Brain Development
Beyond the physical chemistry of the brain, it’s also difficult for young adults to continue to prioritize learning while in the middle of an addiction. No matter the age, the human brain is always going to focus on obtaining more of a substance that it is addicted to.
So, the student will struggle to concentrate on the task at hand, and may not show up to class at all.
Even an adult brain will have a hard time learning new things while addicted to a substance. For a teen brain in the middle of development, the situation is even worse. Finding a way to break this addiction and refocus on education is a critical task that can change the course of the future for this individual.
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Social and Behavioral Changes
It’s not only academic performance that will be impacted by drug or alcohol misuse. The teen’s behavior and relationships are sure to be impacted, as well. These changes usually start out subtle, only to get more dramatic as time passes and the addiction progresses.
For example, as a parent, you might first notice that your teen has become slightly withdrawn or irritable. They will also likely be more secretive than they were before. Different friends may start to come around. Things they used to like to do will no longer bring them joy.
It’s common for addicted teens to leave sports teams or after-school activities and only focus on a very narrow area of life.
Risk Taking Increases With Drug Use and Alcohol Use by Teens
You should also watch for increased risk taking. Risky behavior is common with addiction, and that’s certainly true among teens. The direct physical impact of the drugs can lead to risk taking, but that’s not the only factor.
There is also the matter of trying to acquire the drugs that can cause your teen to take wild risks. Motivated by the need to get more drugs in their system, it’s possible that they’ll turn to theft or violence. Those actions come with obvious risks and can lead to legal trouble, as well.
All of this unusual, inconsistent behavior can drive a wedge between your teen and the rest of the family. You might not have the same connection that you had before, and despite your desire to support the teen during this difficult time, it may be hard to do so effectively.
Long Term Consequences into Adulthood
Adolescent brain development is so important because of the impact it has on the rest of a young person’s life. The damage that drugs do in the present day is bad enough, but that harm is only compounded by the fact that your teen is doing damage that will extend well into the future.
It’s the thought of a teen doing lifelong harm as a result of substance use that will keep parents up at night.
Early drug abuse significantly increases the chances of chronic substance abuse throughout the rest of adult life. This is because the brain has been rewired during this developmental phase.
Statistics show that the vast majority of adults who struggle with addiction report first using drugs or alcohol during their teen years. Using substances this early in life sets a person up for an ongoing, uphill battle that is difficult to win.
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Adolescent Substance Use Disorder and its Impact on the Adult Brain
Motivation and satisfaction can also be affected when a substance use disorder exists in a teen. As they get older, doing fundamental things like building a stable career and maintaining healthy relationships will be hard. Even something as simple as finding joy in daily life may be out of reach.
The rewiring of the brain that can’t be undone will lead to a burden that has to be carried forever moving forward.
The reality of the damage that is being done by a young person who is using drugs or alcohol speaks to the importance of prompt treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction (or both).
It’s possible that some damage has already been done, but putting a stop to the process as soon as possible is going to limit the lasting health effects that the teen experiences. The faster a teen can stop using drugs or alcohol, the sooner the healing process can begin.
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There is no easy path out of addiction. Breaking an addiction to illicit or prescription drugs is a major challenge at any age. But it always starts with a single step. Reaching out for help is the best way to start finding a path toward lasting recovery.
Given the vulnerabilities associated with the adolescent brain, finding help for your troubled teen is an urgent matter. Reach out to the experienced and professional team at Artemis Adolescent Healing Center today to learn more about our services.