New research from Pew Research on social trends says teens see anxiety and depression are on the rise and 7 in 10 see it as a major problem among their peers. This concern about mental health crosses gender, racial and socio-economic lines with equal demographic groups say it is a significant issue in their community.
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I recently listened to a podcast from Fresh Air in which the host Terry Gross interviewed Judith Griesel on her book "Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction." In it she talks about the neuro science behind addiction and how certain drugs react with brains in general, but with adolescent brains in particular.
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As the United Sates continues down the misguided path of legalizing recreational marijuana each state is setting their own laws about the amount a person can buy or grow, and decriminalizing amounts up to an ounce.
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Two recently released studies document the impact marijuana is having on teens. The first study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry from work done by the University of Montreal, shows that students who used marijuana showed more declines in cognitive functioning compared to those who just used alcohol.
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In a recent Reuters news release based on a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, when mothers used cannabis during the first 12 years of a child’s life there was a 40% higher risk their child would start using earlier than their peers. The study found that these kids started before age 17 while their peers started at age 18.
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Each year the government produces a report on the estimated number of people who use tobacco, alcohol and drugs which includes marijuana. While percentage of alcohol usage has flattened the study found that “Among the 30.5 million people aged 12 or older who were current illicit drug users, 26.0 million were current marijuana users” in that group 42% use almost daily.
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The inquiries we get from parents at Gobi run 65% - 75% about teens and the use of marijuana. I attended a conference recently hosted by the Hazelden/Betty Ford Foundation about some research that is just now coming from the first 5 states to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
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The results of a survey of 275,000 young people ages 12 – 21 that was released on May 18th showed that they are choosing marijuana as their preferred substance over alcohol and cigarettes. Researchers found that in 2014, 8.8 percent reported that pot was the first drug they ever used, double the number of only 4.8 percent in 2004.
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In a recent article in Scientific American, Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, writes on the factors that cause addiction. Dr. Volkow’s seminal work on brain scans helped reveal addiction as a brain disease.
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A study that was released November 6th showed that teens who regularly drink or smoke pot have lower earning potential and educational achievement. According to the lead author, Dr. Elizabeth Harari “This study found that chronic marijuana use in adolescence was negatively associated with achieving important developmental milestones in young adulthood."
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A press release published last week about an article in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs from researcher Ralph Hingson, Sc.D., M.P.H., noted some good news about drinking behavior in 18-24-year old’s. As related to binge drinking (having 5 or more drinks in a 2-hour period) college students’ habits decreased between 2005 and 2014 from 45% to 37%.
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In a post this week on the University of Pennsylvania website, Megan Jones shared some good back-to-school tips for parents about teens and substance use. While we would all love to think that none of our teens and their friends are getting “lit”, the reality is that pressure is coming from friends, school and parents.
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Analyses in US News and The Atlantic released during the health care debate showed the harmful impact that the President’s budget proposal and the Congress’s attempts at repealing Obamacare would have on families. While the President’s budget is not certain of passing and the Republican plan seems dormant for now, the trend is alarming for those of us who work in the substance-use field.
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A review of studies from around the world by Johns Hopkins University found that young people who have greater exposure to alcohol marketing are more likely to initiate alcohol use and engage in binge drinking. Twelve studies were reviewed from Asia, Europe and the US, all 12 found positive correlation between levels of marketing exposure and youth alcohol consumption.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with new guidelines for doctors and parents on how to talk to teens about the risks of using pot. They said that the recent legalization of marijuana has lowered teen’s perception of the risks.
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As a parent of four one of our worst fears was teens drinking and driving. In a New York Times article called “When Teens Drink, Avoiding the Risks From Driving” Dr. Perri Klass writes about a recent study from February in the Journal Pediatrics that 28% of motor vehicle crashes with drivers under 20 years old, were alcohol related. The study also found that in states with more restrictive substance use policies reported fatalities.
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In a recent government survey, it was noted that more teens smoked pot than cigarettes. Pot is seen by teens as “just a weed” and less harmful than alcohol or other substances. But then, along comes synthetic pot.
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