Adolescent Substance Use Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment

Course overview

Around half of all high school students have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime. Many other substances, such as aerosol sprays and glues, are easier for adolescents to obtain and use. Whatever the type of substance use disorder, adolescents are at risk of damaging and long-term effects that can continue into adulthood. It is believed that a major contributing factor in the vulnerability of adolescents to dangerous substance use is related to the natural, early development of brain reward and pain centers that lead to pleasure-seeking behavior. Health professionals need to be informed about the warning signs of adolescent substance use and the frequent overlap between mental illness and substance use disorder to diagnose and treat this patient population properly.