A recently released study by The National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) focused on adolescent aged, between 2-17 years old individuals. The claims that this demographic of adolescents are more likely to develop a substance abuse disorder when using marijuana or misusing prescriptions drugs in comparison to young adults, aged 18-25 years old. The study reported that within 12 months since first cannabis use, 10.7% of adolescents had cannabis use disorder; within 12 months since first misuse of prescription drugs: 11.2% of adolescents had prescription opioid use disorder, 13.9% of adolescents had prescription stimulant use disorder and 11.2% of adolescents had prescription tranquilizer use disorder. 30% of young adults develop a heroin use disorder and 25% develop a methamphetamine use disorder a year after first using heroin or methamphetamine.
The study claims that mind altering drug use can have a detrimental impact on the developing brains of adolescents. Substance use related disorder’s are higher among adolescents than amongst young adults.
