Alcohol Marketing Campaigns Influence Teen Drinking, Brand Recognition

Posted on May 3, 2011

A new study on the effectiveness of alcohol marketing has found that adolescents who are exposed to alcohol ads are at an increased risk of alcohol consumption and binge drinking, which could lead to alcohol-related problems later in life. About 40 percent of U.S. high-school students drink alcohol, and 25 percent engage in binge drinking (having 5 or more drinks in one sitting)

Understanding How Adolescents View Smoking Behaviors

Posted on April 25, 2011

With any addiction, there is a difference between the actual behaviors and the perceived behaviors. Many people identify themselves in conversation as a "casual" or "social" smoker, meaning that they do not consider tobacco to be an actual addiction for them.

Adolescents React Strongly to Rewards

Posted on March 27, 2011

Adolescents who begin using drugs or alcohol are at a high risk for extended problems into adulthood. Earlier initiation with substance use exposes them at an earlier age and for a longer period of time to a higher risk for heart disease, certain cancers and risky behaviors associated with drugs and alcohol.

Adolescent Girls with Male Friends More Likely to Have Substance Abuse Problems

Posted on March 16, 2011

A new study has found that girls who quickly make friends with boys early in life are more likely to develop substance abuse problems in late adolescence. In childhood, boys and girls tend to form almost exclusively same-sex friendships, and in early adolescence, they gradually begin to incorporate friends of the opposite sex. During adolescence, they tend to continue this incorporation of opposite-sex friends at a faster pace.

Young Men More Likely to Drink and Do Drugs When Love Ends

Posted on March 1, 2011

When romance goes bad, a young man is more likely to abuse drugs or drink than a young woman, according to a new study from Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Drug Addiction Most Likely Starts During Teen Years – Here’s Why

Posted on February 23, 2011

Two new studies involving laboratory animals indicate that adolescence is a crucial time to develop drug addictions, because adults react differently to drugs than youngsters.

The first study was from Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois. Dr. Justin Rhodes and his colleagues found that adolescent mice were less sensitive to the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine than adults. The adults showed more increases in locomotion, but the drugs had little to no effect on the "teenagers." Dr. Rhodes was unsure why this occurred.

Study Suggests Females at Higher Risk of Substance Use if Bullied

Posted on February 23, 2011

Bullying seems to go hand-in-hand with childhood for some individuals. And, while it can be viewed as a rite of passage for some, others can suffer damaging consequences, especially if the bullying is unusually cruel.

Bath Salt Products Hiding Fake Cocaine

Posted on January 31, 2011

In an alarming and life-threatening trend, fake cocaine is now disguised as seemingly benign bath salts with a claim to deliver an energizing effect that has sent many teens to hospitals nationwide.

Psychostimulants Used to Treat Misdiagnosed Children

Posted on January 31, 2011

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder. Approximately 2.5 million children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD and treated with psychotropic medications—psychostimulants. Significantly, these medications are also commonly abused by teens and adults with substance disorders who seek their euphoric and anti-fatigue effects.

Alcohol Abuse by Teens Linked to Brain Differences

Posted on January 25, 2011

Teenagers and young adults who drink too much alcohol have smaller than average prefrontal cortexes, according to a new study from Duke University.