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

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

3. 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!!!

5. 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

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

7. What is adolescence?

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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”

21. Parental Strategies
KNOW KIDS LIE

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

23. Mindfulness & Meditation

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

25. Benefits of Mindfulness
More Self Control
Less Depression
Improved Focus

26. Stay Flexible