Sensitive periods of substance abuse: Early risk for the transition to dependence

Abstract

Early adolescent substance use dramatically increases the risk of lifelong substance use disorder (SUD). An adolescent sensitive period evolved to allow the development of risk-taking traits that aid in survival; today these may manifest as a vulnerability to drugs of abuse. Early substance use interferes with ongoing neurodevelopment to induce neurobiological changes that further augment SUD risk. Although many individuals use drugs recreationally, only a small percentage transition to SUD. Current theories on the etiology of addiction can lend insights into the risk factors that increase vulnerability from early recreational use to addiction. Building on the work of others, we suggest individual risk for SUD emerges from an immature PFC combined with hyper-reactivity of reward salience, habit, and stress systems. Early identification of risk factors is critical to reducing the occurrence of SUD. We suggest preventative interventions for SUD that can be either tailored to individual risk profiles and/or implemented broadly, prior to the sensitive adolescent period, to maximize resilience to developing substance dependence. Recommendations for future research include a focus on the juvenile and adolescent periods as well as on sex differences to better understand early risk and identify the most efficacious preventions for SUD.

Chronic Developmental Lead Exposure increases μ-Opiate Receptor Levels in the Adolescent Rat Brain

“…The most significant changes in brain MOR levels as a result of chronic developmental Pb 2+ exposure was during the pre-adolescence (PN14) to early-adolescence (PN28) period in which several brain regions exhibited significantly higher levels of MOR in both sexes. The relevance of the increase in brain MOR levels during the preand early-adolescence period is of special importance given that this is a critical period where risk-taking behaviors and propensity to addictions is highly likely to occur in humans (Jordan and Andersen, 2017). It has been shown that individuals that engage in drug use during adolescence are more prone to relapse later in life (Jordan and Andersen, 2017) and have increased susceptibility to mental disorders, such as mood disorders (Lutz and Kieffer, 2013).…”

“…The relevance of the increase in brain MOR levels during the preand early-adolescence period is of special importance given that this is a critical period where risk-taking behaviors and propensity to addictions is highly likely to occur in humans (Jordan and Andersen, 2017). It has been shown that individuals that engage in drug use during adolescence are more prone to relapse later in life (Jordan and Andersen, 2017) and have increased susceptibility to mental disorders, such as mood disorders (Lutz and Kieffer, 2013). Animal studies have also shown that adolescence exposure to drugs of abuse impacts behavioral, affective, and cognitive functions long after the period of adolescence (Spear, 2016).…”

Trends and correlates of cocaine use and cocaine use disorder in the United States from 2011 to 2015

“…We also examined correlates of CU and CUD. Given that onset of CU during adolescence is associated with greater cocaine-related problems (Jordan and Andersen, 2017), correlates were determined separately for adolescents to inform prevention and intervention efforts for emerging population subgroups.…”

Effects of a brief ED-based alcohol and violence intervention on depressive symptoms

“…(20–22) Prior literature has shown that SafERteens, a brief intervention delivered to youth endorsing alcohol and violence history, had positive impacts on violence victimization, aggression, and alcohol consequences. (23, 24) It is theoretically possible that a single-session, motivational interviewing-based, violence and alcohol focused brief intervention might also affect depression symptoms, given the mutual skill deficits underlying both symptom complexes.…”