Effects of Drug and Alcohol Use on the Developing Teen Brain MOE GELBART, PH.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THELMA MCMILLEN CENTER

TEEN BRAIN NOT READY FOR ADULTHOOD ! NEWS FLASH!!! TEEN BRAIN NOT READY FOR ADULTHOOD !

Adolescence is a period of profound brain maturation. It was believed that brain development was complete during childhood The maturation process is not complete until about age 24!!!

Pruning occurs in stages, from back of the brain to the front Construction Ahead amygdala judgment emotion motivation physical coordination; sensory processing; prefontal cortex nucleus accumbens NA = regulates motivation to seek rewards Amygdala = emotional processing center; evaluates relative pleasure vs aversiveness PFC = planning; setting priorities; organizing thoughts; suppressing impulses; weighing consequences of one’s actions cerebellum

Age 24 emotion motivation judgment physical coordination; sensory processing; judgment

What is adolescence?

Personality Traits Related to Brain Development Prefer a lot of physical activity (cerebellum) Highly emotional (amygdala) Prefer High Excitement/Low Effort (nuclues accumbens) Video games Risk Taking is High Not Thinking of Safety Not Thinking of Long Term Consequences Extremely Vulnerable Period

We’ve Learned that the sooner we intervene, the more effective the results

Substance Use Hijacks Teen Brain PreFrontal Cortex is our “brake system” helps us understand about consequences Lacking wiring for these stop messages, adolescent brain may not fully weigh risks of drug use Drug/Alcohol Use during critical brain development causes changes to way brain responds to reward and punishment Memory Issues Learning Issues

Percentages of Past Year Alcohol Dependence or Abuse Among Adults Aged 21 or Older, by Age of First Use (SAMHSA, 2004) Percent FOR TEENS…ISSUE IS NOT ADDICTION/DEPENDENCE IT IS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AS THEY EXPERIMENT LEGAL – GRADES – STD – INJURY - DEATH – HURTING OTHERS Age Started Drinking

Negative consequences OVER THE LAST TWENTY YEARS, LIFE EXPECTANCY HAS INCREASED FOR ALL AGES EXCEPT 15-24. THE THREE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH ARE ACCIDENT, SUICIDE, AND HOMICIDE, ALL LINKED TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR 16-24 IS DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED. ALTHOUGH 16-24 ARE ONLY 17% OF THE POPULATION, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN 48% OF THE FATAL ACCIDENTS EVERY DAY, 14 KIDS 15-19 DIE, AND 360 ARE INJURED IN ALCOHOL RELATED TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS LETS LOOK AT THE WAYS SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACTS BEHAVIOR

Unintended Negative Consequences School Problems Legal Issues Health Issues Sex Issues Accidents Jail Death

What we’ve learned re: motivation Surprising: Teens do not want to come to treatment More Surprising: Offered help, many kids quickly accept help to turn their lives around Even More Surprising: Parents are in denial, and offer great resistance to treatment Dual assessment

What we’ve learned re: Co-Occurring Disorders 60-75% Have Co-Occuring Mental Health Disorders History of Trauma Low Self Esteem Self Medicating for Depression Anxiety ADHD Learning Disabilities

Why do Kids Use Complex: No single cause Genetics Influence of Peer Acceptance Self Medication for Anxiety, Depression, ADD, ADHD The Need to Escape Poor Self Esteem, Poor School Performance

Why do Kids Use Lack of parental support and guidance Exessive pressure to succeed and excel Family turmoil Inability to communicate, talk, share

Why Use?? • Experimentation • Acceptance from peers • Alleviate depression • Modify unpleasant feelings • Readily available • Works every time • Family (genetic) history • Family coping mechanism SELF MEDICATING CO OCURRING DISORDERS PERHAPS 60% OF TIME

Parental Strategies Modeling Setting Limits Teaching Delayed Gratification Open Communication Validating Feelings Picking Your Battles: A-B-C Support vs. Enabling Process vs. End Results Rituals

Parental Strategies Be Aware: Music, Friends, Whereabouts Drug Testing Attitude of Gratitude Engage in Activities for the Greater Good Sense of Entitlement: “ I’m not your mother”

Parental Strategies KNOW KIDS LIE

Know the Myths IT’S ONLY BEER EVERYONE DRINKS IT’S ONLY MARIJUANA

Mindfulness & Meditation

Benefits of Mindfulness Mm More Kindness Better Math Scores Fewer ADHD Symptoms

Benefits of Mindfulness More Self Control Less Depression Improved Focus

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