Familial, social, and individual factors contributing to risk for adolescent substance use.
Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal high numbers of adolescent substance use in the United States. Substance use among adolescents can lead to increased risk of transmission of sexually transmitted infections, vehicular fatalities, juvenile delinquency, and other problems associated with physical and mental health. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to involvement in substance use due to the underdeveloped state of the adolescent brain, which can lead to reduced decision-making ability and increased long-term effects of drugs and alcohol. Understanding the causes of adolescent substance use is vital for successful prevention and intervention programs.
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Mackenzie
0000-0003-3574-5478
M
Whitesell
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Annette
A
Bachand
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Jennifer
J
Peel
Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA ; Department of Ethnic Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Mark
M
Brown