Decision-making in adolescents involves a chemical called dopamine in the reward center of the brain. Dopamine helps transmit signals to the brain that make people happy. The number of brain receptors interacting with dopamine is higher during adolescence than at any other time in life. This means that when a teenager is exposed to a reward, such as a compliment, the reward center reacts more strongly than if it were an adult.

Additionally, being with friends increases sensitivity to rewards and makes the already sensitive reward system even more sensitive. Feeling stronger rewards and reacting more intensely to what their peers think means there are biological reasons why teens sometimes decide to do things with their friends that they would never do alone. This can be positive, encouraging friends to take on new challenges. But it can also lead to dangerous decisions, like using drugs and alcohol.

Abuse of substances like alcohol and drugs is a growing problem in the United States – and adolescents and young adults are most at risk, with half of all new drug users under the age of 18 and one high school student in five who have abused prescriptions. drugs. Additionally, a third of high school students currently use alcohol, 23% use marijuana, and 22% use all forms of tobacco.

Drug use and abuse can contribute to harmful short- and long-term health risks. In fact, drug abuse can have long-term effects on adolescent brain development. Brain MRI scans have shown that people who have used drugs for a long time have a smaller prefrontal cortex than people who don't use drugs. The prefrontal cortex is the area where decision-making takes place. Drug use can lead to poor grades, memory loss, and social problems.

Many of us have an idea of what someone addicted to drugs looks like. However, anyone can suffer from this type of addiction. Addiction does not depend on income, employment, age, race or color. It's a brain disease that can happen to anyone. Substance abuse occurs when a person regularly uses alcohol or drugs, even if it causes problems in their life and relationships with others.

Go get help if you need it. Encourage your friends to get help too. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug use or abuse, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit www.easyread.drugabuse.gov

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