Long Term Impact of Severe Substance Abuse Disorder on Teens

Long Term Impact of Severe Substance Abuse Disorder on Teens

One-in-three Americans will develop a substance abuse disorder (SUD) in their lifetimes.

New research sheds light on the impact of developing an addiction to drugs and or alcohol in adolescence, and the news is disturbing.

According to a new study from the University of Michigan, published in JAMA Network Open[i], most 18-year-olds with a severe substance use disorder still suffer from various substance use disorders 32 years later.

According to the report:

“Most adolescents with (the) most severe SUD symptoms at age 18 years had 2 or more SUD symptoms in adulthood (316 participants [61.6%]; 95% CI, 55.7%-66.9%), and this association held for baseline alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use disorder symptoms. Adolescents with the highest SUD symptom severity at age 18 years had the highest adjusted odds of prescription drug use and PDM (prescription drug monitoring) in adulthood (4-5 symptoms, adjusted odds ratio, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.06-2.32; ≥6 symptoms, adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.11-2.16). The majority of adults using prescribed opioids, sedatives, or tranquilizers (568 participants [52.2%]; 95% CI, 48.4%-55.9%) in the past year had multiple SUD symptoms at age 18 years.”

This study shows the importance of proper patient screening before physicians write prescriptions for potentially addictive drugs.

It also points up the importance of early interventions. The likelihood of negative long-term consequences can be reduced if SUDs are caught and properly treated in the earliest stages of development.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs and need help in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, or Indiana, the recovery teams at Aware Recovery Care are here to help. Our unique model of care is giving clients a significantly better chance of recovery when compared to traditional inpatient rehab care. To learn more, please contact one of our Recovery Specialists.

[i] https://jamanetwork.com/journa…

Photo by Paul Castanié on Unsplash