Reducing substance use during adolescence: a translational framework for prevention

Abstract

Rationale Most substance use is initiated during adolescence when substantial development of relevant brain circuitry is still rapidly maturing. Developmental differences in reward processing, behavioral flexibility, and self-regulation lead to changes in resilience or vulnerability to drugs of abuse depending on exposure to risk factors. Intervention and prevention approaches to reducing addiction in teens may be able to capitalize on malleable brain systems in a predictable manner. Objective To review what is known about how factors that increase vulnerability to addiction, including developmental stage, exposure to early life adversity (ranging from abuse, neglect, and bullying), drug exposure, and genetic predisposition, impact the development of relevant systems. Results and Conclusions Appropriate, early intervention may restore the normal course of an abnormal trajectory and reduce the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) later in life. A considerable amount is known about the functional neuroanatomy and/or pharmacology of risky behaviors based on clinical and preclinical studies, but relatively little has been directly translated to reduce their impact on addiction in high-risk children or teenagers. An opportunity exists to effectively intervene before adolescence when substance use is likely to emerge.

Youth Services System Review: Moving From Knowledge Gathering to Implementation Through Collaboration, Youth Engagement, and Exploring Local Community Needs

“…traumas are typically greater for youth than for adults (Stanis & Andersen, 2014). As well, youth tend to be involved in multiple service sectors and may not access mental health or substance use systems directly (Garland et al, 2001;Gilbert et al, 2009); rather, they may seek help or support (or appear in distress and receive help or support) from school guidance counsellors, coaches, shelter workers, and others whose paths they cross who may not have training or resources to identify or respond to youth needs in these areas.…”

Excessive Alcohol Intake and Cigarette Smoking among Black Schoolchildren in a Central African City (Brazzaville, Congo)

“…In view of acute and chronic consequences of alcoholism and smoking, including cardiovascular disease, prevention seems an inexpensive way to fight in our country. This primary prevention targeting children in schools should be integrated into school curricula and should be done early [15]. It was noted that children whose process of consumption of these substances is likely to emerge, the intervention must be early [15].…”

“…This primary prevention targeting children in schools should be integrated into school curricula and should be done early [15]. It was noted that children whose process of consumption of these substances is likely to emerge, the intervention must be early [15]. Indeed, once the addiction developed neuroanatomical and pharmacological changes will the various interventions to be uncertain and often contain no improvement [14].…”

Adolescent d -amphetamine treatment in a rodent model of ADHD: Pro-cognitive effects during adolescence and cocaine abuse risk during adulthood

“…Nearly two-thirds of treatment-seeking drug users report sampling drugs before age 20 [128,129]. Thus, with approximately 1,600 teens and adults initiating cocaine use each day [130], it is critically important to reduce the risk of cocaine abuse, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with ADHD.…”

“…However, effects of d-amphetamine in adolescent SHR are not well known. The adolescent brain undergoes unique neurochemical changes, including altered expression of dopamine D1 and other monoamine receptors [50], suggesting that psychostimulants may differentially affect adolescents, relative to juveniles or adults [51]. The current study determined effects of d-amphetamine treatment in adolescent WKY, WIS and SHR on performance in a strategy set shifting task, analogous to the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task in humans [22,52].…”