IST 605: Adolescent Development

You are no doubt exposed to drugs and alcohol just about every single day. Peer pressure is a real thing. It is also a necessary part of evolution. I should say it was necessary for early humans and important for survival. If a human tried to live on their own back then, their chance of survival was diminished exponentially. Safety in numbers was the law of the land. We have since evolved. We no longer have to go along with the pack. Our pre-frontal cortex enables us to make rational, informed decisions. Drug and alcohol use and abuse at your age could become hard-wired in your brain and make you more susceptible to addiction, mental health issues, weakened cognitive functioning and a host of social problems. These issues could be permanent. I don’t mean to scare you. I just want you to be informed. So before you decide to go to a party where you know there will be drugs and alcohol, read through some of the articles on the consequences that one wild weekend could have on the rest of your life. 

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal research institution whose mission is "to advance science on drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction explains what addiction is, how it affects the brain, and what the scientific community is doing about it. Did you know that addiction is a disease like heart disease and diabetes? There are preventable measures you can take and treatments are available. It is in your best interest to understand the science of addiction especially if you have a family history.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration  (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. It is a great resource for individuals as well as healthcare professionals, educators, community organizations, parents, and adolescents. 

The Substance Use Prevention Resources for Youth and College Students page is packed with useful information on things like opioid overdose, depression, trauma, addiction treatment and so much more.

The Tips for Teens Series educates teens about the dangers of drug use, including short- and long-term health risks and ways the drug affects the brain.