Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development
Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development
Liberty University
Abstract
During adolescence, cognition and the brain undergo parallel development. Substance abuse has led to impairments in adults but less is known of its effects on adolescent cognition. To be addressed is the neuropsychological performance of adolescents involved in substance use such as alcohol use and marijuana. Effects of substance use are analyzed on neuropsychological composites that include verbal reasoning, executive function, attention, visual spatial ability, memory and processing speed. Included in the discussion is human brain development during adolescence, aggressive behaviors among adolescents, prevention and intervention efforts for substance abuse, and building positive behavior for the future generation. During adolescence the individual experiences brain maturation changes that correspond with behavioral, cognitive and emotional changes. These developmental changes are believed to put youth at risk for substance abuse. Substance abuse has cognitive defects and harmful implications on social, academic and occupational functioning. Therefore neurocognitive sequences as a result of substance abuse are important to elucidate.
Keywords: adolescent, substance abuse, development, cognitive development, behavior
Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development
Directly or indirectly, adolescents are affected by substance abuse. Substance use is one of the United States’ leading health problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, deaths associated with drug use have “more than doubled since the early 1980s” (www.drugabuse.gov). Substance use addictions are costly to tax payers. Substance use is an overlooked problem and continues to grow. Eliminating the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is impossible. Never the less it is important to create awareness on the health effects of the abuse of substances among
Liberty University
Abstract
During adolescence, cognition and the brain undergo parallel development. Substance abuse has led to impairments in adults but less is known of its effects on adolescent cognition. To be addressed is the neuropsychological performance of adolescents involved in substance use such as alcohol use and marijuana. Effects of substance use are analyzed on neuropsychological composites that include verbal reasoning, executive function, attention, visual spatial ability, memory and processing speed. Included in the discussion is human brain development during adolescence, aggressive behaviors among adolescents, prevention and intervention efforts for substance abuse, and building positive behavior for the future generation. During adolescence the individual experiences brain maturation changes that correspond with behavioral, cognitive and emotional changes. These developmental changes are believed to put youth at risk for substance abuse. Substance abuse has cognitive defects and harmful implications on social, academic and occupational functioning. Therefore neurocognitive sequences as a result of substance abuse are important to elucidate.
Keywords: adolescent, substance abuse, development, cognitive development, behavior
Effects of Substance Abuse on Adolescent Development
Directly or indirectly, adolescents are affected by substance abuse. Substance use is one of the United States’ leading health problems. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, deaths associated with drug use have “more than doubled since the early 1980s” (www.drugabuse.gov). Substance use addictions are costly to tax payers. Substance use is an overlooked problem and continues to grow. Eliminating the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is impossible. Never the less it is important to create awareness on the health effects of the abuse of substances among
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