Adolescent Substance Use in the U.S. Facts for Policymakers
Publication Date: May 2011 Adolescence is an important period of
physical, social, psychological, and cognitive growth. No longer
children and not yet adults, adolescents make significant
choices about their health and develop attitudes and health
behaviors that continue into adulthood. Substance use disorders
among adolescents can impede the attainment of important
developmental milestones, including the development of autonomy,
the formation of intimate interpersonal relationships, and
general integration into adult society. 1 Similarly, the use of
alcohol and illicit substances by youth often leads to adverse
health outcomes. 2 Because heightened peer influence and a
tendency towards risk taking are normal developmental changes in
adolescence, experimentation with substances during this period
is common. However, using drugs and alcohol at a young age
increases the risk of dependency and addiction, 3 and early
onset of drinking increases the likel