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Contrary to what teenagers themselves may believe, their brains as well as their bodies still have plenty of growing up to do. The brain is probably the last part of human physiology to reach full maturity, not considered completely “adult” until about age 25.
So while younger drug users may be more resilient overall, and may have more time to recover from drug-induced damage than the fiftysomething painkiller addict, there are other special risks. An organ—such as the brain—still under development may never be able to recover from damage that interrupts the natural process.
How do drugs affect the brain of a teenager in particular?
HOW DRUGS AFFECT THE BRAIN IN GENERAL
Aside from antibiotics and other medications that directly attack abnormal substances in the body, drugs work by chemically altering the brain’s natural perception of physical and emotional sensations. Effects may include:
When drugs are prescribed by a doctor, the recommended amount is carefully calculated to maximize beneficial effects and minimize harmful ones. If someone takes too much of a drug for too long, however, the brain may become dependent on it to feel normal. Addiction is the result: when deprived of the substance, the brain activates “illness” reactions that cause various emotional and physical symptoms. These may include:
Exact symptoms depend on the specific drug, among other factors.
Finally, overuse of any drug can lead to permanent brain damage, either cumulative or suddenly induced by an overdose. Potential long-term dangers include memory problems, attention deficits, emotional disorders, lack of self-control, relationship difficulties, poor coordination and inability to make decisions or process information.
THE TEENAGER’S BRAIN AND DRUG USE
Apart from medications prescribed for work- or age-related problems, most drug addictions start before age 20. Growth of the brain’s prefrontal cortex in particular is “pruned back” during adolescence. And since the prefrontal cortex is in charge of sound decision-making, teenagers are naturally impulsive and frequently reckless.
And it’s not just that this recklessness makes them more prone to experiment with recreational drugs in the first place. The brain of a teenager is physically more vulnerable to becoming addicted than the brain of someone just a few years older, because the adolescent brain is at a stage of internalizing “adult” habits and is particularly vulnerable to outside influence. If it “learns” through experience that regular drug use is normal, the pull to use drugs regularly may remain for life.
Unfortunately, adolescent risk-taking tendencies and susceptibility to peer pressure are so powerful that as many as three in four high school students will try potentially addictive substances at least once.
HOW TO STOP AND SPOT TEENAGE DRUG USE
If you’re the parent of a teenager and worried about addiction and its effects on the brain, don’t fall into the common trap of just laying down the law of “You’ll be in big trouble if I ever catch you with drugs, and that’s that.” Or of rummaging, uninvited, through possessions and computer accounts for signs of possible trouble. These approaches generate distrust and resentment that may actually increase the chances a teenager will use drugs, and will definitely decrease the chances he’ll seek your support if tempted.
The best approach is to head off possible drug use by engaging in regular discussions about the dangers: two-sided discussions, where you listen to and learn from your teenager as well as the reverse. However, drug use (and its negative effects on the brain) may already be in process if:
Don’t dismiss these as normal teenage angst: even if they aren’t connected to drug use, they usually indicate some problem you need to talk about. Approach with caution, especially if your relationship was already tense or you think your own example may have given the impression “a drink/pill makes problems go away.” If your teenager refuses to answer your initial questions, arranging for a family therapy session is better than demanding or nagging for explanations on your own.
If your child does in fact have a drug-use problem, don’t let fear or pride keep your family from proper addiction treatment and long-term counseling. As with most illnesses, the sooner addiction is treated, the less opportunity it has to do permanent damage to brain or body.
ADDICTION TREATMENT AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT POSSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE
Due to possibilities of doubly reckless behavior or serious illness, every addiction is best treated in a medical center specifically qualified and licensed for the purpose. Look for a provider that works with adolescents specifically, because addiction treatment for teenagers comes with certain special needs:
If an evaluation does indicate possible impairment of brain functions, don’t panic. The effects of brain injury can often be mitigated or even reversed by learning new skills/habits, eating a healthy diet, otherwise maintaining good physical health, and practicing mindfulness exercises and general optimism. Ask your teenager’s treatment providers and regular doctor for specific advice.
Be prepared to offer all the help you can without either demanding too much of your teenager or, more likely, being so “helpful” that you become a permanent caretaker when one isn’t needed. Many parents tend toward “poor thing, I’ll take care of you forever” attitudes when their children have disabilities of any type, but, like “enabling” an addiction, this usually leads to worse problems down the road.
HOW TO KEEP THE BRAIN OF A TEENAGER HEALTHY
With or without ever using drugs, a teenager’s brain (like anyone else’s) functions best when well cared for. Let’s close this article with a few hints for exposing the adolescent brain to habits and influences that have positive effects. (As a bonus, these practices also build interests and self-confidence that make drugs less attractive.)
While drugs can affect the brain of a teenager in all sorts of negative ways, teens also have incredible potential, including potential to influence their peers and perhaps future generations away from drugs. Don’t just tell them that “drugs will rot your brain.” Help them channel their brains’ natural inquisitiveness and originality toward healthy non-drug uses!
SOURCES
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2016, September). “Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.” Facts for Families, No. 95. Retrieved from https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/the-teen-brain-behavior-problem-solving-and-decision-making-095.aspx
Arain, Mariam, Maliha Haque, Lina Johal, Puja Mathur, Wynand Nel, Afsha Rais, Ranbir Sandhu, and Sushil Sharma (2013, April 3). “Maturation of the Adolescent Brain.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2013, No. 9, pp. 449–461. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621648/
Colver, Allan, and Sarah Longwell (2013, August 28). “New Understanding of Adolescent Brain Development: Relevance to Transitional Healthcare for Young People With Long Term Conditions.” Archives of Disease in Childhood, Vol. 98, No. 11, pp. 902–907. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4096849/
DeLoreto, Caroline. “7 Steps to Keep Your Teenagers’ Brains Healthy and Strong for the Final Weeks of School.” PsychAlive.org. Retrieved from https://www.psychalive.org/7-steps-keep-teenagers-brains-healthy-strong-final-weeks-school/
Drug Enforcement Administration (2018, September 21). “How Drugs Alter Brain Development and Affect Teens.” Get Smart About Drugs. Retrieved from https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/how-drugs-alter-brain-development-and-affect-teens
Konrad, Kerstin, Christine Firk, and Peter J. Uhlhaas (2013, June 21). “Brain Development During Adolescence: Neuroscientific Insights Into This Developmental Period.” Deutsches Arzteblatt International, Vol. 110, No. 25, pp. 425–431. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705203/
National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens (2014, December). “Brain and Addiction: How Do Drugs Affect Your Brain?” Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/brain-and-addiction
Scholastic.com (2018). “Drugs and the Teen Brain: Teacher’s Guide.” Retrieved from http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers/drugsandtheteenbrain
Squeglia, L. M., J. Jacobus, and S. F. Tapert (2010, February 24). “The Influence of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development.” Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 31–38. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827693/
UCLA Health. “Sleep and Teens.” Retrieved from https://www.uclahealth.org/sleepcenter/sleep-and-teens
University of Utah. “The Adolescent Brain Is Still Developing.” Genetic Science Learning Center. Retrieved from https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/adolescent/
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2016, December). “December 2016: 10 Things You Can Do to Promote Healthy Adolescent Development.” Office of Adolescent Health. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/news/e-updates/december-2016-tag/index.html
For further information on youth, drugs and the brain, see the following articles:
Common Risk Factors for Teens Experimenting With Alcohol and Drugs
Heroin and the Brain: What Everyone Should Know About the Drug’s Scary, Long-Term Side Effects
Risk Factors of Teen Drinking: Short & Long Term Effects of Underage Drinking
Teen Addiction Treatment: How Addiction & Treatment Differs For Teens
This Is What Drugs and Alcohol Are Doing to Your Brain
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
