Mental Health and Teen Drug Abuse
The human brain is still developing well into a person’s early 20s. Most mental illnesses develop during this period of growth. This period is also when the brain is most vulnerable to damage from drug abuse. Alcohol affects teenagers differently. Instead of slowing them down, alcohol can make teens feel more energetic, do riskier things and get more aggressive . Drinking is even more dangerous for kids with ADHD because they’re already impulsive. Substance use can also make depressed teenagers more prone to impulsive suicidal behavior . Teen Depression And Addiction the co-occurring disorders of drug addiction and depression are a common and dangerous combination. Depression can arise from a blend of biological, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Addiction has similar roots, so it’s unsurprising that the two frequently co-occur. Adolescence is a time of change for teens. As their bodies, home lives, and even brain chemistries change, teens may ...