How much substance abuse by teens is experimentation vs. a real problem?
Using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs at a young age has negative health effects. A growing body of research shows physical, including neurological, impacts from any alcohol, tobacco and drug use on the growing bodies of young people. Some teens will experiment and stop, or continue to use occasionally, without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency. Still others will have serious problems related to substance abuse, such as car crashes or arrests, even though they don’t become dependent. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. Teenagers at risk for developing serious alcohol and drug problems include those with a family history of substance abuse, those who are depressed, and those who have low self-esteem and feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream.
